Lawrence Timmons' hit on quarterback Mark Sanchez cost the Pittsburgh Steelers a 15-yard penalty in Sunday's 27-10 win over the New York Jets. That wasn't the only price to pay.
The Steelers linebacker told Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he was the recipient of a $21,000 fine from the NFL on Thursday.
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The league hasn't confirmed the fine, but Timmons already has spoken about the second-quarter, helmet-to-helmet collison with Sanchez.
"What can you do? I was just playing ball," Timmons said. "I lowered my target like you're supposed to do. I can't help it if he slides or falls. It's a tough spot to be in."
Timmons argues that Sanchez's helmet dropped just before the collision, but the play was flagged for a reason. The Steelers defender fired himself at the quarterback, and that's certain to draw a fine.
The $21,000 penalty is the league's minimum, but Timmons doesn't see it that way: "Any time you get fined, it's a lot of money."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.