NEW YORK -- Linebackers Chad Greenway of Minnesota and Brandon Spikes of New England were fined $21,000 by the NFL on Friday for unnecessary roughness in games last weekend.
Greenway struck Lions receiver Calvin Johnson in the head and neck area in last Sunday's victory over Detroit. He apologized to Johnson afterward.
"I didn't mean any intent to hurt him or anything. I was just trying to play the game," Greenway said. "Once I saw he was in a vulnerable position I tried to pull off -- a little late obviously. Glad he wasn't hurt and I hope he's good."
Greenway said Johnson catches so many of passes over the middle he just assumed that one would be caught and didn't realize it was dropped until he made the hit. Greenway pulled his hands back immediately after the hit.
"I was trying to show that I didn't finish the hit. I tried to pull off," he said. "Just something about being a defensive player in the NFL right now. That's what it's going to be. So you've got to expect it."
Spikes used an illegal blindside block during an interception return, hitting Bills tight end Scott Chandler, who left the game with a head injury. No penalty was called.
Chandler has been cleared to play this Sunday at San Francisco.
Buffalo DT Kyle Williams was fined $15,750 for roughing the passer, hitting Tom Brady below the knee area. Williams intends to appeal the fine, questioning what he did wrong when attempting to make a tackle while Brady still had the ball.
Also fined Friday were Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji, Titans tackle Dave Stewart and Cardinals placekicker Jay Feely, all docked $7,875 for unnecessary roughness.
Jenkins grabbed Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers' facemask and also poked Rodgers in the right eye. Raji struck Saints long snapper Justin Drescher with his knee. Feely struck Arizona's Jimmy Wilson late and in the back during a kickoff return.
Stewart was docked for striking an opponent in the head against Houston. Stewart was involved in three incidents, drawing personal fouls for a late takedown of defensive end J.J. Watt and for a hit on DE Tim Jamison during an interception return. Stewart also pulled the hair of linebacker Brooks Reed.
