Dolphins DE Olivier Vernon fined for hit on Marcus Mariota
Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon says the NFL has fined him for his controversial hit on Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Vernon plans to appeal the fine.
The play in question occurred in the second quarter of the Dolphins’ 38–10 win on Sunday, when Vernon made a low hit on Mariota in the pocket. Vernon was flagged for a personal foul on the play, and Mariota sustained a sprained MCL.
Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that Mariota did not practice Wednesday.
“I think it was done with the idea of trying to hurt our quarterback,” Whisenhunt said. “That’s bulls--- football.”
Vernon took to Twitter after the game to say that he is not a dirty player and send a get-well message to Mariota.
Vernon has started all five games for the Dolphins this season and is one of four players on the team to have recorded a sack.
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