Report: Vikings’ Smith fined for hit on Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins, no flag thrown

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith received a $15,914 fine for a hit on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in Week 8, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Saturday.

The play took place on a two-point conversion attempt with 2:27 remaining in the third quarter last Sunday. Arizona trailed 28-23 after a 38-yard touchdown reception by receiver Rondale Moore and attempted to cut the deficit to a field goal.

Quarterback Kyler Murray fired a pass to Hopkins on a slant in the end zone and Smith came in from the weak side and put a big hit on the receiver.

There was helmet-to-helmet contact, and Hopkins and Murray both signaled for a flag but got none. The pass fell incomplete.

After the game, Hopkins tweeted at the NFL, “I need an explanation?” He has since deleted the tweet.

Smith’s fine is for unnecessary roughness, according to Pelissero.

The Vikings won the game, 34-26, although Hopkins had a productive day with 12 catches for 159 yards and a one-handed touchdown grab over Smith.

“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.” — Bruce Lee pic.twitter.com/9LuJYZ0st3

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) October 30, 2022

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