Following a hustle effort to tackle Justin Herbert late in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Cameron Heyward appeared to punch the quarterback. Heyward was penalized for the action.
¹ú²úÍâÁ÷ÍøNetwork Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that the play would be reviewed for a potential fine, but Heyward isn't facing a suspension, per a source informed of the situation.
"To be honest, I was running after the ball, and I caught my hand under, so when I was trying to get back up, I couldn't get up, and I fell back on him," Heyward said after the game, via the Associated Press. "I know it looks terrible, (but) there was nothing malicious behind it. I don't think I was trying to punch him, but I know it looks worse than it is in slow motion. I'm sorry if I did anything to offend anybody. I wish I had said more to Justin after, but there was nothing behind it."
The hit came after Heyward -- the Steelers' best defender Sunday night -- hustled a long way downfield on a 36-yard scramble by Herbert to keep the QB from scoring a TD with just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Following the Chargers' win, Herbert didn't take issue with the play.
"No. I haven't really seen it," the QB said. "(Heyward)'s a tough player. Football is an emotional game. Whatever happened, happened in the game. We'll shake hands and say, 'Good game,' after the game."
