The NFL took action on a Jets defender who put Patriots rookie Drake Maye in the concussion protocol.
New York linebacker Jamien Sherwood was fined $6,354 by the league Saturday for “unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).” The 24-year-old hit a sliding Maye in the first quarter of New England’s 25-22 win last Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Sherwood wasn’t flagged for his hit in the Week 8 matchup, but after review, the NFL felt it deserved a fine.
The Auburn product admitted after the game there was no malicious intent behind the hit that took Maye out of the game.
“All I did was just rally to the ball,” Sherwood told NESN.com’s Sean McGuire. “He slid. I did my best to keep him safe, go over top of him. I think my shoulder might have hit him in the head, but I hope he’s OK.”
Maye was in the concussion protocol throughout the Patriots’ preparation for the Tennesee Titans this Sunday. The 22-year-old cleared the protocol and is expected to start at Nissan Stadium.
Sherwood laid big hits on Maye when the signal-caller made his NFL debut in Week 3, and the fourth-year linebacker might be done hearing about him after his wallet took a hit.
