National Football League

Johnson fined for illegal block

Published Oct. 26, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona safety Rashad Johnson has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for an illegal blindside block in the Cardinals' loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.

Vikings tight end John Carlson missed Minnesota's game against Tampa Bay on Thursday night because of concussionlike symptoms that appeared to result from Johnson's block during a punt.

Detroit cornerback Alphonso Smith was fined $15,750 on Friday for his horse-collar tackle on Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the Lions' loss Monday night. Smith was called for a penalty, which helped put the Bears in field-goal range. Marshall and fellow Bears receiver Earl Bennett were also fined $10,500 by the league for wearing orange cleats, a violation of the NFL's uniform policy.

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