Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber has lost the opportunity to play again this season as a direct result of the vicious block by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Terence Garvin in Sunday night's game.
Garvin has lost a hefty portion of his paycheck for the effort.
A league source told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that Garvin has been fined $25,000 for the hit that broke Huber's jaw and might have left him with a cracked vertebrae. A second source close to Garvin confirmed that the linebacker will appeal.
Artrell Hawkins of WLWT-TV in Cincinnati first reported the fine.
Dean Blandino, the NFL's vice president of officiating, explained the illegality of the hit on Tuesday's edition of NFL Network's "NFL Total Access."
As we understand the rules, Garvin was free to hit Huber as hard as physically possible -- just not with the crown of his helmet above the punter's neckline.
Huber spoke Wednesday, accepting responsibility for punting down the middle of the field to a dangerous returner in Antonio Brown. The Bengals punter realizes big hits are "a part of the game" and is not expecting an apology from Garvin.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" broke down the Cowboys' loss and every other Week 15 game. *
