Despite his intention to avoid the play, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway expects to be fined for the hit he laid upon Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 20-13 win, according to Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press.
Greenway's shoulder pad hit Johnson in the head on the play, causing the referees to call a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. The linebacker says that he tried to pull up and avoid hitting Johnson, though:
I don't want to hurt Calvin. I don't want to hurt anybody. I'm thinking he's going to catch that ball 99 percent of the time. He didn't that time. So when I go to try to break the ball up, my pad, it's clear on the tape, it hits his head. What are you going to do? They're going to throw the flag and I'm probably going to get assessed a fine. But my intent was not to hurt him.
Over the first four games of the season, Greenway has played well, recording 44 tackles, two defended passes and two sacks. The Vikings are currently 3-1 so far this season, partially thanks to a defense that's played pretty well in the first four games.