Chiefs’ Travis Kelce fined $24,309 by the NFL for throwing towel at official

Turns out that was one costly towel toss for Travis Kelce.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was fined $24,309 by the NFL on Friday after he protested a non-call by mockingly chucking his towel toward an official and being ejected.

Kelce thought Jacksonville’s Prince Amukamara should have been called for pass interference in the end zone during the Chiefs’ 19-14 victory last Sunday when he grabbed his towel and made like it was a penalty flag. The official threw his hat in response, another official tossed a penalty flag on Kelce and the tight end was tossed from the game.

Chiefs teammate Daniel Sorensen was also fined $9,115 for a late hit out of bounds on Allen Robinson in that game.

Cleveland center Cam Erving and Dallas defensive end David Irving were each docked $9,115 for their tussle in the Cowboys’ 35-10 win. Irving punched Erving before getting his helmet ripped off.

Miami’s Andre Branch, San Francisco’s Quinton Patton and Los Angeles’ William Hayes were all fined $18,231 for horse-collar tackles.

Branch was called for a penalty after he took Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall down for a one-yard loss in the first quarter of the Dolphins’ 27-23 win. Also in that game, New York cornerback Buster Skrine was fined $9,115 for unnecessary roughness, as was defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson.

Patton’s penalty came when he tackled New Orleans linebacker Craig Robinson during an interception return that led to a touchdown in the Saints’ 41-23 win.

Hayes’ horse-collar tackle came in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles’ 13-10 loss to Carolina.

Detroit’s Johnson Bademosi and Green Bay’s Ty Montgomery were both fined $9,115 for roughing-the-kicker penalties in their games.

Also docked $9,115 were San Diego’s D.J. Fluker and Dexter McCoil for unnecessary roughness infractions against Tennessee, and Seattle’s George Fant for a clipping penalty against Buffalo.

Fitzpatrick questionable for Jets game

The New York Jets are giving Ryan Fitzpatrick’s sprained left knee a few more days to get ready.

Fitzpatrick will be a game-time decision to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday after being listed as questionable Friday.

“He’s getting better than he was,” Coach Todd Bowles said. “I still have to see him work out Sunday to make that decision.”

Fitzpatrick injured his left knee at Miami last Sunday during New York’s 27-23 loss. He participated on a limited basis during all three practice sessions this week.

“If he’s healthy, you’d like to see him practice fully,” Bowles said. “He’s injured, so we have to see how he feels. He has two more days to heal.”

Both Fitzpatrick and backup Bryce Petty split the first-team snaps evenly during practice throughout the week.

Etc.

The Green Bay Packers say linebacker Clay Matthews will miss the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans because of a lingering hamstring injury. The Packers’ best pass rusher will be sidelined a third straight game, and a fourth overall this season. McCarthy also says that receiver Randall Cobb won’t be limited. … Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns expects to play Sunday against Houston despite being in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Hurns practiced on a limited basis Thursday and was officially listed as questionable Friday. He’ll be cleared to play Saturday if he continues to have no concussion symptoms. …

Linebacker Justin Houston, who is almost recovered from knee surgery, will have to wait at least another week before making his season debut for the Kansas City Chiefs after he was ruled out for Sunday’s game at Carolina. Receiver Jeremy Maclin (groin) and defensive lineman Jaye Howard (hip) also have been ruled out. … The Atlanta Falcons have ruled out three starters for their game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles: running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring), tight end Jacob Tamme (shoulder) and cornerback Desmond Trufant (shoulder). … The Tennessee Titans will have a full complement of running backs Sunday against the Green Bay Packers with both DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry full practice participants. Right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), guard Quinton Spain (knee), tight end Delanie Walker (groin) and safety Rashad Johnson (neck) are expected to play as well.