49ers RB Carlos Hyde fined by NFL for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ against Cardinals

While the San Francisco 49ers were proud of running back Carlos Hyde, who stuck up for his rookie quarterback on Sunday, the NFL was not. According to Bay Area News Group, Hyde was fined by the league for the skirmish he was involved in during the closing minutes of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

A report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network states that Hyde was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct rather than fighting. According to Pro Football Talk, that means the NFL docked the 49ers running back $9,115 for his actions.

Hyde was one of three players ejected from the game. The scuffle initiated when Arizona safety Antoine Bethea, who spent his previous three seasons in San Francisco, hit 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard's helmet with his forearm as he was sliding at the end of a 10-yard run.

Hyde got involved when he went to his teammates' defense and struck the helmet of Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters. Peters started to go after Hyde until 49ers guard Brandon Fusco managed to calm him down. That didn't stop Cardinals defensive lineman Frostee Rucker, who approached Hyde and shoved the running back to the ground. Hyde popped back up and briefly retaliated before the two were separated.

49ers general manager John Lynch approached Hyde as he walked off the field and displayed enthusiasm at his running back defending his young teammate.

"I really loved how [Hyde] went and got our quarterback's back," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. "I thought our quarterback had a couple of helmets to the head when he was in the pocket a few plays before and then he ended up scrambling and sliding, and he got one again. I think our players had had enough."

Along with Hyde, both Rucker and Arizona linebacker Hasson Reddick, who was in on the tackle of Beathard and then threw a punch in the direction of 49ers center Daniel Kilgore, were ejected.

"That's awesome they had my back," Beathard said. "I knew they would. Guys like Carlos. It stinks that he got ejected, but it shows he's got my back. I really appreciate that and so does all the other guys that went at them as well."