Green Bay have released veteran cornerback Al Harris, while safety Nick Collins is the latest player to be hit with a hefty fine.
Harris dumped by Packers, Collins hit with hefty NFL fine
The Green Bay Packers have released veteran cornerback Al Harris, while safety Nick Collins is the latest player to be handed a hefty fine after his hard hit on Dallas' Roy Williams.
Harris had off-season knee surgery during the summer and has been on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list so far this season.
The 35-year-old was expected to be back in the team at some point after returning to practice on October 19, but Monday was the deadline for him to be activated or placed on injured reserve.
The player himself had sounded like it was only a matter of time before he returned, but the performance of Tramon Williams as his replacement has left Harris surplus to requirements.
Green Bay's defence has been superb so far this season, meaning no need for two-time Pro Bowler Harris, who has been released and will become a free agent if not claimed off wavers.
Williams fine
Sunday's destruction of the Dallas Cowboys showcased the Packers' solid defence, but it was not without controversy after Collins' late helmet-to-helmet hit on Williams resulted in the Green Bay safety being handed a $50,000 fine.
The NFL described Collins' hit on Williams as a "flagrant violation of player safety rules" when he "violently and unnecessarily struck a defenceless receiver".
Williams did not agree, as he argued that Collins should not be fined, saying: "Commissioner Goodell, don't fine the guy.
"It wasn't that bad of a deal. He shouldn't get fined. It was a football play, a football player making a football play. No injury. No harm."
The NFL are making player safety a priority and hits to the head are being punished with big fines, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy thought the Collins call was a tough one.
Tough call
"I think the referees are doing a very good job with the awareness of player safety, but I was standing right there and I can see what Nick Collins saw," McCarthy said.
"The ball was in the air and he was trying to run through the proper target line and I think he hit Roy in the top of the pads and went up into the helmet."
Philadelphia Eagles man Kurt Coleman escaped punishment after his hit to the head resulted in Indianapolis receiver Austin Collie being carried off with concussion.
The league ruled that Coleman had only made contact after Collie had been legally hit by Quintin Mikell and pushed into Coleman's path.
