December is a tough month financially for many Americans. Even star linebackers.
Chicago Bears veteran Brian Urlacher has been fined for the second consecutive week for a horse-collar tackle.
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This time, Urlacher was fined $21,000, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, via a source with knowledge of the fine. An initial report stated Urlacher would be fined $31,500 as a second offender, but the NFL evaluates each case differently, according to Rapoport.
The 34-year-old linebacker was flagged for his first-half takedown of running back Leon Washington during the Bears' 23-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. The NFL has yet to confirm the punishment.
Urlacher was penalized $15,750 a week ago for his horse-collar takedown of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Neither Peterson nor Washington was injured on the plays.
Don't look for Urlacher to draw any further fines this weekend. He's expected to miss anywhere from two to four weeks with the strained right hamstring he suffered against the Seahawks.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.