Brian Winters fined for head-butt, out vs. Steelers with concussion

New York Jets guard Brian Winters delivered an illegal head-butt Sunday that proved costly on two levels.

Not only was he knocked out of the game with a concussion, an injury that will sideline him Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Winters also received a $24,309 fine from the NFL, a source said Friday.

Technically, he was fined for unnecessary roughness.

Running alongside Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, Winters leaned into Bennett and head-butted him, resulting in a personal foul.

Dazed, Winters dropped to one knee and left the game. He got up slowly on the previous play as well, but it's not clear if that contributed to his concussion.

Bennett, who later called Winters' act "a dirty play," was furious and had to be restrained.

"The play was over. He came and hit me in my head," he told reporters. "I got three daughters. I love playing with them. I don't want this to be the last thing I do."

Bennett might have retaliated later in the game, blocking center Nick Mangold from behind on an interception return. Mangold called it "a dirty cheap shot," but Bennett wasn't fined.

Without Winters in the lineup, the Jets are planning to rotateBrent Qvale and Dakota Dozierat right guard.