NFL Fines Ndamukong Suh $15,000

Detroit Lions first-round defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been fined $15,000 for his hit on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, Mike O’Hara of FOX Sports Detroit reports.

“It’s ridiculous,” Roosevelt Barnes, Suh’s agent, confirmed to O’Hara on Wednesday.

Suh was flagged for unnecessary roughness after hitting a scrambling Cutler from behind with nine minutest to play in the fourth quarter. Detroit, who led by 3 points, was penalized half the distance to the goal, with the Bears scoring the game-winning touchdown on the following play.

Referee Ed Hochuli determined that Suh committed “an unnecessary football act” as the reason for the fine, and the NFL apparently agrees. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz defended Suh on Monday.

“It’s been reported that the flag was thrown because Cutler was hit in the back of the head when he was in the process of going down. I think it’s fairly obvious that neither of those ended up being correct,” said Schwartz.