Newton justice: Cardinals DT fined for hit

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s concerns about “illegal hits” have been heard by the NFL, and action has been taken.

A person familiar with the situation says Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell has been fined $18,000 for his hit on Newton in Sunday’s game. The person spoke to The Associated Press yesterday on condition of anonymity because the league does not publicly announce fines.

Newton had a phone conversation with commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday about his perspective on the hits he takes from defensive players while in the pocket.

“I got my point across. He got his point across. That’s it,” Newton said earlier yesterday at his weekly news conference.

Newton said after Sunday’s game he didn’t feel protected in the pocket after no flag was thrown when Campbell crashed into his legs as he was releasing the football.

Dean Blandino, the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, said on NFL Network that Campbell should have been penalized for roughing the passer.

Chiefs’ Smith out

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will miss Sunday’s game against Jacksonville after his head bounced hard off the turf twice during last weekend’s game in Indianapolis.

Nick Foles will start in his place and Tyler Bray will be the backup.

Smith said he never failed any concussion tests administered after each of the blows, the second of which knocked him from the game. But after consulting with coach Andy Reid and others in the front office, it was decided he would be inactive.

Also, running back Jamaal Charles had exploratory surgery to determine why there is lingering pain in his surgically repaired right knee. Charles has been placed on injured reserve, which means he will miss at least eight weeks.

OC Turner resigns

Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner abruptly resigned, two days after Minnesota lost its second consecutive game with its offense nowhere to be found.

Turner was replaced on an interim basis by Pat Shurmur.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, meanwhile, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn retina in one of his eyes.

Big Ben optimistic

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said there’s still pain two weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee, but he isn’t ruling himself out of Sunday’s game at Baltimore.

Roethlisberger said the decision on whether or not he can play will be made by coach Mike Tomlin. ...

Josh Huff says he carries a gun because he doesn’t trust people in his hometown of Houston and he has to protect his family.

The Eagles wide receiver is expected to play this week against the Giants despite his arrest on gun and drug charges. The team doesn’t plan any discipline yet.

Huff was charged Tuesday with possession of a 9 mm handgun without a permit and having a small amount of marijuana after he was pulled over for speeding.

“I have a wife and I have a son at home, and my job is to protect them at all costs,” Huff said. “I’m from Houston. You can’t trust a lot of people in Houston. There’s always somebody out to get you.”