The NFL has gone above and beyond in its efforts to emphasize player safety in recent seasons, and players have been fined at a breakneck pace as a result.
Yet, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was not fined this week for Sunday's hit on Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. Polamalu intentionally went high on Welker and yanked his helmet around nearly backward.
Welker was shaken up on the play, missed Wednesday's practice due to a neck injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. Welker, though, will play.
Polamalu did not draw a penalty for the hit, but the league reviews all questionable hits, penalty or not, and routinely fines players for head shots. Therefore, the lack of a fine is not consistent with the NFL's emphasis on contact to the head of a ball carrier.
Patriots safety Patrick Chung was fined $7,500 for a facemask, and running back Kevin Faulk was fined $7,500 for a chop block.
