NFL Fines Colts’ Coryatt for Hit

The NFL has fined veteran Indianapolis Colt linebacker Quentin Coryatt $7,500 for an improper hit he delivered to Buffalo Bill quarterback Todd Collins last Sunday.

Coryatt plans to appeal the fine, which is his second in less than a year. Last season, he was fined $7,500 for what the NFL considered an improper hit against New York Jet quarterback Frank Reich.

“[The NFL] said it was like last year’s hit against the Jets . . . face-to-face,” Coryatt said following Thursday’s practice. “I don’t agree with it and I’m going to appeal.”

The play in question occurred when Coryatt rushed Collins on a delayed blitz and made contact with the quarterback just as he was releasing the ball. He drew a penalty on the play for “a blow to the helmet,” according to referee Bill Carolio.

Coryatt’s penalty is the latest in the NFL’s attempt to lessen improper or unnecessary contact to vulnerable players, most notably quarterbacks.

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Though he is limited by torn shoulder muscles, Cincinnati running back Ki-Jana Carter says he wants to keep playing.

The Bengals thought earlier this week, when they discovered the injury, that Carter’s season might be through. Now Carter is lobbying to play despite the pain.

Coach Bruce Coslet won’t say if he will allow Carter to play. Rookie Corey Dillon is to start in Carter’s place against the Jets Sunday.

The Bengals think Carter may have had the torn rotator cuff injury since the preseason, and that he aggravated it Sunday against Denver.

In another development, the NFL fined guard Rich Braham $3,000 for his chop block on Denver defensive tackle Keith Traylor, and defensive end John Copeland was fined $5,000 for a punch to the head of Brian Habib.

Braham is appealing his fine. Coslet wrote a letter to the NFL on his behalf.

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Miami Dolphin rookie linebacker Ronnie Ward broke his left leg in practice, adding to the team’s injury problems. The Dolphins have a bye this week and Ward’s roster status will be evaluated next week.