ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers hard-hitting linebacker James Harrison has incurred a costly roughing-the-passer penalty against Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday.
With 4:45 to go in the third quarter, Harrison came untouched up the middle of the line on a Pittsburgh blitz. The linebacker drove Fitzpatrick into the ground, and he was flagged for leading with his helmet.
Harrison stomped his foot on the ground following the play.
The penalty negated an incomplete pass on second-and-10. Three plays later, Fitzpatrick hit running back Fred Jackson for a 65-yard catch and run TD.
Harrison has been docked $80,000 for hits this season, and was called to the NFL office in New York recently regarding how rules designed to protect players from injury are being enforced.
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