Cleveland rookie gets fined for hit
Cleveland Browns rookie safety Jabrill Peppers was fined $24,000 by the NFL for his illegal hit on Cincinnati Bengals receiver Josh Malone on Sunday.
Peppers said he was informed of the fine in an email from the league on Wednesday night. The first-round pick said he stopped reading the letter when he saw the dollar amount.
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 feels he led with his shoulder and his hit was within the rules. He’s still unclear as why Malone was considered a “defenseless” receiver as 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 ‘cause 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.”
Demps returns to Bears: Chicago Bears safety Quintin Demps practiced for the first time since breaking his left arm in late September.
His return to practice on 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 started the first three games. He was injured against Pittsburgh on Sept. 24.
Demps says it “felt great” to practice, though he doesn’t think he will be ready to play against San Francisco on Sunday.
In the draft: Texas junior safety DeShon Elliott said he will skip the Longhorns’ bowl game and enter the NFL draft.
The Thorpe Award finalist led the Longhorns with six interceptions as Texas became bowl eligible for the first time since 2014. He was among the team’s biggest playmakers on a rejuvenated Texas defense under first-year head coach Tom Herman.