Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus has been fined $11,167 by the NFL for an illegal hit on San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle on Monday night.
According to the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, the play occurred with 8:41 to go in the fourth quarter but officials did not throw a flag. It is also Metellus’s second fine of the season after he was docked $11,167 for a hit on Justin Fields that was not flagged during a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears.
Metellus is the fifth Vikings player to be fined and the fourth defensive player to be fined this season according to Spotrac. Harrison Smith drew the largest fine after impermissible use of the helmet in a Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was docked $21,855 despite not being flagged on the play.
Other fines this season included a $10,927 fine on Justin Jefferson for using the “Too Small” taunt during a Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers, a $6,554 fine on Troy Dye for impermissible use of the helmet in a Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and a $10,927 fine on Dean Lowry for a face mask infraction during a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One player who did not make the list was Jordan Hicks for his helmet-to-helmet hit on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on a quarterback sneak last Monday night. Purdy went into concussion protocol following the loss to the Vikings but was cleared in time to start tomorrow’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Vikings (3-4) will travel to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.
