Ravens DT Haloti Ngata fined for kicking Redskins player

Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngatahas been fined $8,268 for unnecessary roughness after kicking Redskins offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao in a preseason game last Saturday.

Ngata had said that he became angry when Lauvao plowed Ravens cornerback Dominique Franks near the end of a running play in the first quarter. Ngata was not penalized on the play.

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"When I saw Lauvao do that, I kind of was just pissed that he was doing that and just nudged him," Ngata said. "Kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing. That was the only thing. I was just trying to protect my player."

"No disrespect to Shawn because we know each other," Ngata said. "It was the heat of the moment, and just was mad that he tried a late hit."

Ngata, 30, has recorded 23.5 sacks and 262 tackles over eight seasons, earning five Pro Bowl appearances.

The Ravens open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Bengals.

- Chris Johnson