Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick says he will appeal fine for hit on Browns receiver KC Concepcion

New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick told reporters on Thursday that he was fined by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns receiver KC Concepcion during Week 5’s 17-12 win. However, the nine-year veteran intends to appeal the fine.

The play in question occurred during the first quarter when Concepcion went up for a deep throw from Deshaun Watson and was hit hard by Fitzpatrick. Two flags were quickly thrown by officials and the Jets safety was flagged for a 15-yard penalty.

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Concepcion was down on the turf for several minutes before trainers helped him to his feet. He was immediately taken to the locker room and soon ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Closer angles on the hit showed that Concepcion may have been knocked out, with his eyes rolling back as he laid on the field. In addition to the collision with Fitzpatrick, the rookie receiver’s head hit the MetLife Stadium turf, causing his neck to bend forward.

Fitzpatrick did not say how much he was fined. A first offense for “impermissible use of the helmet/launching” carries a $23,882 fine, while a second offense draws a $47,762 deduction, according to the NFL website.

“It was a football play, in my opinion,” Fitzpatrick said. “Obviously, you don’t like to see anybody get hurt. I’m happy to see he’s back and practicing this week.”

Fitzpatrick then referred to Browns coach Todd Monken calling the hit “a bang-bang play” and saying he didn’t think the safety was a dirty player.

While Concepcion did return to practice, as Fitzpatrick mentioned, he was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday as he continues to be in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“I understand why I got the penalty,” Fitzpatrick added, via the New York Daily News. “It wasn’t for targeting or hitting him in the head. It was for hitting a defenseless player. In my opinion, when a receiver has the ball, you have every right to hit him as long as you are not hitting him in the head.”

Fitzpatrick may have also drawn an additional fine for committing a facemask penalty earlier in the game on Concepcion in which the receiver’s helmet was ripped off. If so, he didn’t indicate he incurred another fine.

Browns fans already held a grudge against Fitzpatrick for a hit on running back Nick Chubb that caused a serious, season-ending knee injury in 2023. The safety was with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time.

Fitzgerald was not fined for that play and later said he was not a dirty player when discussing Chubb’s injury. Chubb only played 23 more games over the next two seasons before retiring prior to the 2026 campaign.