Bernard Pollard tweeted on Wednesday that he has been fined $42,000 for his hit on Andre Johnson. Pollard delivered the hit in the final minutes of regulation in Sunday's 30-24 win against the Titans. After contact, Johnson maintained possession of the ball but lay motionless on his back while being evaluated by the team's medical staff. Head coach Gary Kubiak later confirmed that the veteran wide receiver suffered a concussion and would undergo the league's five-stage protocol.
Pollard was not penalized for the play in which he made shoulder-to-helmet contact with Johnson. According to Player Conduct Rule 12 of the NFL Rule Book, prohibited contact with a defenseless player includes:
"Forcibly hitting the defenseless player's head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircleing or grasping him."
The NFL officially announces league fines on Friday. If fined, this would be Pollard's second time this season. He was charged with $10,000 for a late hit out of bounds in the Titans first preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
The 21-yard reception by Johnson was ruled a catch following a coach's challenge that overturned the incomplete pass ruling on the field. It then set up an Arian Foster touchdown run and two-point conversion on the drive which tied the score 24-24 with 1:56 remaining in the game.
