Here's a bit of news that should make Jim Harbaugh grin.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews has been fined $15,000 for his Week 1 hit on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Friday.
Matthews plans to appeal the fine, Breer added, via a source who has spoken with the player.
In the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the 49ers, Matthews hit Kaepernick well after the San Francisco passer went out of bounds on a third-down play, setting off a scuffle between the teams. Matthews was flagged for a personal foul, but Niners left tackle Joe Staley had an offsetting unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on the play.
Matthews' antics topped off a week of chatter between the teams after the Packers All-Pro said Green Bay planned "to put hits as early and often on the quarterback."
Harbaugh didn't appreciate the "tough talk" coming out of Green Bay, but one week later the 49ers are 1-0, the Packers are winless, and Matthews is down some pocket change on the six-year, $69.73 million contract he signed in April.
Other confirmed fines announced Friday by the league:
»Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldsonwas fined $30,000 for hitting a defenseless receiver in the neck and head in Sunday's loss to the New York Jets.
»Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was docked $20,000 for his late hit/horse collar on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson in the second quarter of Washington's Monday night loss to Philadelphia.
»Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was fined $15,750 for hitting a Seahawks offensive lineman in the face in Sunday's loss to Seattle. Alexander drew a 15-yard penalty and was ejected from the contest for his outburst.
»St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan was fined $7,875.
»New Orleans Saints rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro was fined $7,875.
»Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright was fined $7,875.
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