Falcons’ Kazee fined $10,026 for hit on Cam Newton

McKinley, Smith also fined for the incident
Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee levels Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and is ejected from the game during the second quarter on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee levels Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and is ejected from the game during the second quarter on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Falcons free safety Damontae Kazee was fined $10,026 for the hit he put on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on Friday.

He became the third Falcons player to be fined this season. Grady Jarrett was fined ($20,054) for his hit on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and tight end Eric Saubert was fined ($10,026) for a face-mask penalty against the Eagles.

Also, defensive end Takk McKinley was fined $10,026 for coming to the aid of Kazee after Carolina wide receiver Torrey Smith pushed him down. Smith was also fined $10,026.

“I have to learn when to take my shot and not take my shot,” Kazee said Wednesday. “When he was sliding, I was already in the air. I tried to lean over to the left and nicked him with my face mask. I apologized for the hit and everything.”

Kazee was involved in another high-profile hit, when he  lowered his helmt to hit Jacksonville wide receiver Marqise Lee, who suffered a serious knee injury and is out for the season.

Kazee received a penalty, but was not fined for the hit on Lee.