Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) walks off of the field after being defeated in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)AP
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has been fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness due to the use of his helmet in a hit against Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Najee Harris.
On the play, Harris leaked out of the backfield for a reception and broke multiple tackles. Pratt came from his right side and smacked him directly in the helmet. After the play, Harris was down for a few minutes before being escorted off and inspected for a concussion.
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt was fined $22,511 for Unnecessary Roughness for the use of a helmet on this hit to Steelers RB Najee Harris. pic.twitter.com/E5fTYiYTjG
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 11, 2025
Pratt was not called for a penalty on the field, but this fine acknowledges that it should have been a 15-yard penalty in addition to the play. He was not the only one fined in this game, however. Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was also fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness. He grabbed the facemask of Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt as they were going to the ground on a contested catch.
