Browns safety Peppers fined for his hit on Bengals’ Malone

BEREA, Ohio — Browns rookie safety Jabrill Peppers was fined $24,000 by the NFL for his illegal hit on Bengals receiver Josh Malone on Sunday.

Peppers said he was informed of the fine in an email from the league Wednesday night.

Peppers, a first-round draft pick, said he stopped reading the letter when he saw the dollar amount of the fine from the NFL.

Peppers delivered a hard blow to Malone’s chest area in the fourth quarter, but the official ruled he made contact with the receiver’s helmet and assessed him a personal foul.

Cincinnati scored a touchdown moments later to wrap up its 30-16 win.

Peppers thinks he led with his shoulder and his hit was within the rules.

He’s still unclear as to why Malone was considered a “defenseless” receiver because he appeared to be running with the ball.

“I’m a little upset,” he said. “I didn’t see the replay then, but when I watched it, I thought it was evident that I tried to go to the body. I don’t know where else I could’ve hit him that would have dislodged the ball.

“I just feel like as defenders we’re at a disadvantage because any kind of violent hit they flag.

“Football is a collision sport. There’s going to be a lot of collisions. It’s not a contact sport. It’s a collision sport.”

Peppers plans to appeal.

Bears’ Demps back at practice

Bears safety Quintin Demps practiced for the first time since breaking his left arm in late September.

His return to practice Thursday opened a 21-day window for the Bears to decide whether to activate him from injured reserve or have him miss the

remainder of the season. Demps, 32, started the first three games. He was injured Sept. 24.