Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith fined for horse collar tackle

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is just in his rookie season, but on Friday he was fined by the NFL for the second time in his career. This most recent fine stems from a horse collar tackle on Robert Griffin III, a foul that Smith committed in the third quarter of Minnesota's 38-26 loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 6. Smith will owe the NFL $15,750.

The first fine came in the preseason, when Smith was docked $21,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on San Diego Chargers wide receiver Mike Willie. Smith also avoided a third fine in Week 5 after being ejected from Minnesota's win over the Tennessee Titans for shoving an official. The NFL, though, left the punishment at merely that.

Through six games, the rookie from Notre Dame has tallied 27 tackles and seven pass deflections. The Vikings host the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at the Metrodome at 12:00 p.m. CT on FOX.