Jay Cutler's concussion is costly for the Chicago Bears -- and for the man who caused it.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the NFL fined Houston Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins $30,000 for his hit on the Bears quarterback during the Texans' Sunday night win. Dobbins later confirmed the fine, according to The Associated Press, and said he plans to appeal.
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Dobbins claims Cutler, who was penalized for throwing a pass after crossing the line of scrimmage, is at fault on the play. But the NFL didn't see it that way.
"I'm definitely disappointed," Dobbins said, via The AP. "I didn't know if he was going to run the ball or if he was going to pass the ball. I felt like he was past the line. I just went and tried to get a clean hit on him, and it just didn't work out, I guess. I looked at the film, and it looked like I got a little helmet-to-helmet, but I definitely didn't try, though."
The Bears are taking their time with Cutler's latest head injury. ESPN reported Tuesday that the quarterback is doubtful to play in Monday night's meeting with the San Francisco 49ers, but Bears coach Lovie Smith sounded slightly more optimistic Wednesday.
Cutler is "getting better," Smith said, via the Chicago Tribune. "We are still evaluating him. He is meeting with people."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
