Two Broncos fined $42,540 total for head-to-head hits on Cam Newton

Big dents to their bank accounts for helmet-to-helmet hits on Cam Newton aren’t deterring Denver Broncos defenders Brandon Marshall and Darian Stewart.

“I’ll do it again,” Marshall declared shortly after saying he’ll fight his $24,309 fine for launching himself at Newton in Denver’s 21-20 win over the Carolina Panthers in the NFL opener last week.

“I’m not going to change the way I play the game,” asserted Stewart, who was fined $18,231 for his high hit against the league’s reigning MVP.

Marshall wasn’t flagged for his hit, which the NFL deemed an “impermissible use of the helmet (including illegal launching),” according to its 2016 schedule of fines.

Stewart was fined for roughing the QB in the final minute, a penalty that was nullified on the field when Newton was whistled for intentional grounding. Although Stewart’s hit left Newton motionless on the ground, he wasn’t checked for a concussion until after the game.

Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and cornerback Bradley Roby didn’t find FedEx envelopes in their lockers like Marshall and Stewart did Wednesday as they avoided any fines for their own helmet-to-helmet hits on Newton.

“For what? We didn’t do anything,” Miller told the Associated Press. “I could see if we did something wrong.”

The four hits on Newton, three of which weren’t flagged, sparked a debate about league safety, the viability of option quarterbacks in the NFL and the notion that Denver plays dirty.

Newton dismissed news of the fines.

“My job is to win football games, not lobby for my health,” Newton said Wednesday, adding he feels “great” and he didn’t want to “dwell on” the previous game and the hits.

Injury updates

Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower did not practice because of a knee injury and tight end Ron Gronkowski is still nursing a hamstring as New England prepares to host the Miami Dolphins in their home opener. The Patriots were on the practice field Wednesday for the first time this week after players were off Tuesday. Gronkowski remained a limited participant on the week’s first injury report. …

Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins’ playing status remains a question mark, and starting left tackle Cordy Glenn has been ruled out against the New York Jets on Thursday night. … New York Jets rookie linebacker Jordan Jenkins is doubtful to play against the Buffalo Bills with a calf injury that also sidelined him for the season opener. Jenkins, a projected starter at outside linebacker, was hurt during practice on Aug. 22 and hasn’t participated since then. Third-string quarterback Bryce Petty (right shoulder) is out, and cornerback Darryl Roberts (foot) is listed as doubtful.

Etc.

The Kansas City Chiefs have released third-round pick KeiVarae Russell and brought back linebacker Dezman Moses in a surprise move just one week into the regular season. Russell, a cornerback, had been passed over by sixth-round pick D.J. White and recent acquisition Kenneth Acker on the depth chart. …

The NFL says it will spend an additional $100 million to develop new technology and support more medical research into the growing problem of head injuries. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the “Play Smart. Play Safe” initiative in an open letter Wednesday. He writes: “When it comes to addressing head injuries in our game, I’m not satisfied, and neither are the owners of the NFL’s 32 clubs. We can and will do better.”

Under the initiative, $60 million will be devoted toward developing technology such as improved helmets and $40 million will be allotted for medical research. The NFL and its partners already are spending $100 million on research and new technology. Despite that, the league has been heavily criticized in its handling of head trauma over the decades. It reached a settlement that will pay about $1 billion over 65 years to more than 20,000 retired players.