Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather was fined $42,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy during Sunday’s game.
Meriweather will not face a suspension despite being a repeat offender of the NFL rule that prohibits leading with the helmet on a tackle. His fine was the same as Tennessee Titans safety Bernard Pollard received on Wednesday for an illegal hit on Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson that resulted in a concussion.
But Meriweather’s financial penalty was far less than the $100,000 levied against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson earlier Wednesday for head shots in Weeks 1 and 2.
Lacy suffered a concussion as a result of Meriweather’s helmet to his chin.
The 29-year-old Meriweather was also fined $40,000 for hits while he was with the New England Patriots in 2010 and $20,000 in 2011 while playing for the Chicago Bears.
Later in Sunday’s game, Meriweather sustained a concussion when he tackled Packers running back James Starks.
Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy announced Wednesday that Lacy was progressing through the concussion recovery protocol but that Starks would start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Starks rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries against the Redskins.
“Starks is someone I look at as a starter with an ability to run as many times as needed,” McCarthy said. “He’ll get starting opportunity this week.”