Bengals' Rey Maualuga fined $15,750 for hit on Giants' Domenik Hixon

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga was fined $15,750 for his hit on New York Giants wide receiver Domenik Hixon during the first quarter of a 31-13 Bengals victory last Sunday. The play drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness, and after review, the league determined Maualuga "struck a defenseless player in the head and neck area."

Hixon suffered a high ankle sprain during that play as the force of the hit bent him awkwardly backwards over his leg/ankle. He would not return to the game and may miss several weeks.

Maualuga was later involved on another questionable hit when he struck running back Ahmad Bradshaw helmet-to-helmet. However, the league determined that Bradshaw, who was sent for X-Rays on his neck after the game, was not a defenseless player.

This marks the second time this year that an opposing player has been fined for an illegal hit on Hixon. In week two, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster was fined $21,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Hixon which resulted in a concussion for the veteran wide receiver.

 Also…

• Be sure to like Giants 101 on Facebook, follow Giants 101 on Twitter & +1 Giants 101 on Google+

• Check out the latest line of GMENShirts, including the new pink version which supports the fight against Breast Cancer

• Listen to Gameface with The Frattman every Sunday morning at 9 AM EST on 940 ESPN Radio

Be sure to check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.