The NFL levied 31 fines for Week 8, the second-highest total in a single week this season. Among the most notable punishments were fines issued to Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, and Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn. Each fine stemmed from a hit that placed an offensive player in the concussion protocol and ruled them out for Week 9.
Brisker fined for hit on Watson
Brisker was fined $17,911 for a blow to the head/neck area of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The play occurred less than 90 seconds into the Steelers' victory and drew a roughing-the-passer penalty. Brisker criticized the call after the game, saying, "Babying the quarterback... He's laying there crying, whatever he was doing. It is what it is. I assume I'm going to get fined because if you watch it, I'm hitting him with my chest and them I'm off to the side. But he had his binky today, so they threw it out there. It is what it is." Watson briefly left the game and was replaced by Shedeur Sanders, who threw two passes before Watson returned and finished the game. Although Watson practiced during the week and cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday, the Browns announced Sanders as their Week 9 starter against the New Orleans Saints.
Overshown penalized for helmet use
Overshown received a $9,528 fine for using his helmet on a hit against Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight. The hit dislodged the ball, and the Cowboys recovered the fumble without a penalty being called on the field. The NFL reviewed the play afterward and issued the fine. Knight did not practice during the week and will miss the Cardinals' divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
Chinn fined for hit on Wilson
Chinn was fined $17,911 for a hit on a defenseless player, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The two players' helmets collided on a sideline catch. Wilson remained in the game for the final snap but reported concussion symptoms the next day and was placed in the protocol by midweek. The Jets subsequently ruled him out for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Through eight weeks, 223 plays have resulted in fines, representing 0.0113% of all plays. The 31 fines in Week 8 trailed only the 38 fines issued in Week 2.
