UNDATED (AP) — A person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press the NFL has fined the Washington Commanders $100,000 and stripped the team of two offseason workouts next year because of excessive contact in practice among players.
The fine applies to coach Ron Rivera. One particular hit in organized team activities incensed Rivera to the point he stopped practice to lecture his team.
The fine is the latest off-field development for the Commanders after assistant Jack Del Rio was fined for downplaying the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and a lawyer for Dan Snyder told Congress the team’s owner would not testify at a hearing next week.
Elsewhere around the NFL:
— The NFL has suspended New York Giants linebacker Justin Hilliard without pay for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Hilliard will be eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Giants’ active roster on Sept. 19, following the team’s game against Carolina. The former Ohio State player was awarded to the Giants on waivers in 2021. He played in two games.
— The Baltimore Ravens have signed linebacker Steven Means. The Ravens announced the move Friday. Means started 29 games for the Atlanta Falcons across the 2018, 2020 and 2021 seasons. Prior to that, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Means has six sacks and three forced fumbles in his career.