Minkah Fitzpatrick's controversial hit on KC Concepcion drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, ended the Cleveland Browns receiver's afternoon, and sparked debate about whether the New York Jets safety crossed the line.
However, Fitzpatrick has found support from an unexpected source: the player on the receiving end of the hit.
Concepcion addressed the incident after clearing concussion protocol, and his assessment aligned with Fitzpatrick's explanation of what happened during Cleveland's 17-12 loss to New York on Oct. 11.
Fitzpatrick has received support following the controversial play and has continued to defend his actions following the game. He is maintaining that he never intended to injure Concepcion. Speaking to reporters recently, the Jets safety explained his perspective while expressing relief that Concepcion had recovered enough to return to practice.
"It was a football play, in my opinion. Obviously you don't want to see anybody get hurt. I'm happy to see he's back and practicing this week. Bang bang play, as their coach put it," Fitzpatrick said.
Concepcion echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that he did not view the collision as a dirty play. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot captured the Browns receiver speaking with the press about the play in question. It appears there are no hard feelings. "To me, it wasn't a dirty hit. It was just a football play."
#Browns KC Concepcion said #Jets Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit “wasn’t a dirty hit” pic.twitter.com/Bfrq9JPGOx
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 16, 2026
Cleveland coach Todd Monken also defended Fitzpatrick's character after the game, describing the collision as an unfortunate bang-bang play rather than an intentional attempt to injure someone.
The NFL nevertheless fined Fitzpatrick for the hit, and the safety plans to appeal the decision. The penalty and subsequent fine remain separate from the question of intent, which Fitzpatrick, Concepcion and Monken have addressed publicly.
Concepcion's recovery is an encouraging development after a frightening moment on the field. He cleared concussion protocol Friday and is available for Cleveland's Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, allowing the discussion to shift toward his return rather than the controversy surrounding the hit.
With Fitzpatrick's appeal still pending, the NFL will ultimately determine whether the play warrants further discipline. For now, Concepcion's willingness to defend the Jets safety offers a measure of perspective on an incident that drew an immediate penalty but, according to the receiver himself, was not a dirty play.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Browns' KC Concepcion backs Jets' Minkah Fitzpatrick after controversial hit