GB Packers Clay Matthews FINED 15K Over Late Colin Kaepernick Hit

The NFL has just levied a hefty $15,000 fine on Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews for his late tackle on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Matthews says he plans on appealing the fine, which was imposed after a second quarter hit in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. Matthews took down Kaepernick well outside the out-of-bounds markers.

The late hit harkens back to the 2012 controversy surrounding “bonuses paid out for early and often hits on league quarterbacks.”

Here are a few of the other fines handed out during week 1 of play:

» Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson was fined $30,000 for hitting a defenseless receiver in the neck and head in Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets.

» Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was docked $20,000 for his late hit/horse collar on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson in the second quarter of Washington’s Monday night loss to Philadelphia.

» Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was fined $15,750 for hitting a Seahawks offensive lineman in the face in Sunday’s loss to Seattle. Alexander drew a 15-yard penalty and was ejected from the contest for his outburst.

» St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan was fined $7,875.

» New Orleans Saints rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro was fined $7,875.

» Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright was fined $7,875.