For the second consecutive week, Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith has been fined.
The Houston Chronicle reports that the NFL fined Smith $12,500 for a hit on Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark during the Texans’ loss to the Colts on Sunday.
Smith was flagged for a personal foul for hitting Clark away from the play while Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was returning a Peyton Manning interception. Clark wasn’t attempting to make a tackle.
Under a rule put in place in response to Warren Sapp badly injuring Chad Clifton with a block away from the play during a 2002 game, it’s illegal to hit an offensive player after a turnover if he’s away from the play and not trying to get into position to make a tackle.
Smith was fined $10,000 for a cheap shot on Titans center Kevin Mawae last week.