Bengals DE Michael Johnson fined for penalty in Jets game

Playing football can come at a price.

A Week 1 penalty will cost Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson more than $9,000, per SportsNet New York’s Ralph Vacchiano:

With just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter, the defensive end — likely frustrated after his team was put in terrible field position on its own 35-yard-line, as a result of Andy Dalton’s interception — grabbed for the facemask of Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in an attempt to bring the passer down.

Johnson was called for roughing the passer which gave New York a first-down on Cincinnati’s four-yard-line. It should have been a facemask penalty, for which Johnson was fined, but that doesn’t really matter. It nearly cost the Bengals points, which could’ve resulted in a Jets win. Fortunately, however, the defensive end was ultimately bailed out by a touchdown-saving play by Dre Kirkpatrick, followed by a tackle from Josh Shaw on Bilal Powell that also could have gone for a touchdown. And then, when the Jets couldn’t score a touchdown, Margus Hunt’s blocked field goal further prevented points from being added to the board.

Unfortunately for Johnson, the penalty, which ended up not costing his team much, will cost the defensive lineman a significant portion of his game check.