BUFFALO -- Washington Redskins tight end Jeremy Sprinkle was fined $84,231 -- more than two game checks' worth of salary -- for two hits considered to be unnecessary roughness in a Week 8 loss at the Minnesota Vikings.
Sprinkle has a base salary of $645,000 this season, which means his weekly check is $37,941. He can appeal to have the fines reduced under NFL rules if they are deemed to be "excessive when compared to the player's expected earnings for the season in question."
Sprinkle was not penalized for either play during the game and has not been fined previously this season.
Sprinkle's $56,156 fine for the first play to be considered unnecessary roughness -- a hit to the head -- was the largest given for a play during a game this season. The previous high for one play was a $35,096 fine to Cincinnati's Bobby Hart in Week 3, and the season high for most fines in a single game was $42,112 by Cleveland's Myles Garrett for two hits in Week 2.
The NFL also fined Sprinkle $28,075 for another play later deemed to be unnecessary roughness in the 19-9 loss to the Vikings.
On the second play of the third quarter, Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes was taken to the medical tent on the sideline and evaluated for a concussion after being hit on the helmet by Sprinkle, who lowered his head after a 6-yard reception.
Article 46 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement says players can appeal excessive fines "only if it exceeds 25 percent of one week of a player's salary for a first offense, and 50 percent of one week of a player's salary for a second offense."
With Jordan Reed on injured reserve with a concussion and Vernon Davis sidelined a fourth game with the same issue, Sprinkle, who is considered more of a blocker, has been Washington's main tight end. He has caught 13 passes for 124 yards this season.
