NFL fines Broncos TE Julius Thomas $8,268 for chop block

The NFL fined Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas $8,268 for his chop block against Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. Campbell, 28, injured his MCL on the play and is expected to miss three to four weeks with the injury.

The NFL fined Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas $8,268 for his chop block on Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Campbell, 28, injured his MCL on the play and is expected to miss three to four weeks with the injury. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said it was the "dirtiest play I've seen in 37 years." Campbell told the team's website the block "could have been avoided."

“I’ll let everyone else debate whether it was illegal or not,” Campbell told azcardinals.com. “That’s not a situation where you typically cut. If it was, I would’ve been better prepared for it and protecting myself.

"The cut block is usually on a zone read or zone blocks or screens or even quick slants where they want to get your hands down. I feel like if my foot had got stuck in the ground, it could have been a lot worse. It’s ended careers before. If my foot was stuck in the ground it could have put me out for a couple of years and this game is not about that kind of stuff."

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Thomas, 26, leads the NFL with seven receiving touchdowns and has 20 catches for 226 yards this season.

Campbell was not the only player injured against Denver. Cardinals quarterback Drew Stantonsuffered a concussion against the Broncos. Carson Palmer has not played since Week 1 because of a nerve injury in his shoulder, but is optimistic he can return in Week 6 against Washington. If neither can play this week, third-string quarterback Logan Thomaswill reportedly start.

The Cardinals are 3-1 and host Washington on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

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- Paul Palladino