Bengals LB Burfict fined for hit on Broncos' Janovich

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was fined $53,482 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness on a tackle involving Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich in last week's game, the league announced. The NFL deemed that Burfict lowered his helmet on the hit on Janovich, and that play resulted in the 13th time that the league has disciplined the linebacker -- whether it be via fine or suspension. Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the 2016 and 2017 seasons for illegal hits. He was banned for the first four contests of this campaign following a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. The 28-year-old received a whopping $112,000 fine for a pair of illegal hits in a Week 6 game against wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back James Conner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burfict most infamous transgression was a hit to the head of Brown in a 2015 wild-card game, resulting in a personal foul that helped the Steelers drive for a game-winning field goal. That led to a three-game ban to start the 2016 season. The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Burfict sustained a concussion during the Broncos game and has been declared out for Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Burfict, who has 31 tackles in six games this season, has recorded 602 tackles, 8.5 sacks and five interceptions in 74 career contests with the Bengals.