PITTSBURGH -- The NFL has fined Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain $40,000 for his helmet hit that left Steelers tight end Heath Miller with a concussion.
Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata was fined $15,000 for hitting Ben Roethlisberger's helmet and breaking the Pittsburgh quarterback's nose. Ngata's left hand raked across the quarterback's face during Pittsburgh's first offensive series. Ngata was not penalized.
Roethlisberger played the entire game, which Pittsburgh won, 13-10. He underwent surgery on his nose Monday.
Despite the NFL's stricter enforcement of potentially dangerous hits, McClain was not penalized for a hit that bent Miller's head and neck backward during the third quarter Sunday night. Miller remained on the turf for several minutes before being helped off the field.
Even before the game ended, multiple NFL officials said the hit should have been penalized. On Monday evening, the fine was announced.
Miller did not return to the game. He must pass a series of concussion tests before being allowed to play again.
Last week, Houston Texans safety Bernard Pollard was fined $40,000 for unnecessary roughness against Justin Gage of the Tennessee Titans. Pollard was fined for striking Gage in the head area when the Titans receiver was defenseless.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
