CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
The roughing-the-passer penalty wiped out Richard Marshall's interception return for a touchdown early in the first quarter in Carolina's 24-9 win. Replays showed Peppers led with his shoulder, but the NFL determined on Friday that Peppers then hit Ryan in the head, drawing the fine and supporting referee Ed Hochuli Hochuli's on-field call.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
