Eagles linebacker Oren Burks was fined $8,333 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness after using his helmet to force a fumble on the opening kickoff of the Eagles’ 22-10 win over the Packers in the wild-card round. Despite the hit not being flagged during the game, Burks’ action led to a turnover that the Eagles capitalized on to score a touchdown.
Burks explained after the game, “I was trying to hit him with everything I got, man. Just set the tone early. That was the physicality we wanted to play with.”
Packers returner Keisean Nixon, however, was not pleased with the hit. He felt it should have been flagged for targeting or helmet-to-helmet contact. Nixon said, “It was sudden change, they scored right after, so it gave them the ball. But I got the ball back for sure. It should’ve been targeting, helmet-to-helmet, but can’t dwell on it. Never been hit that hard, either. That was like the first time, I was kind of rattled. But it is what it is.”
The Eagles continued their dominance, taking the ball away three more times with interceptions from Jordan Love, advancing to the divisional round, where they’ll host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Burks was thrust into a larger defensive role after middle linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a season-ending knee injury. Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are expected to step in for Dean during the upcoming game.
In addition to Burks’ fine, two Packers players—Lukas Van Ness and Tedarrell Salmon—were also fined for unnecessary roughness (late hits) in the fourth quarter.
