The NFL elected to hand out a $28,075 fine on Carolina Panthers safety Tre Boston for his Week 8 hit on San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero:
#Bengals S Jessie Bates was fined $28,075 for the hit that knocked #Rams WR Brandin Cooks out of last week's game with a concussion.
Also, #Panthers S Tre Boston was fined $28,075 unnecessary roughness – a hit on #49ers TE George Kittle that drew a penalty.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 2, 2019
With the Niners up 7-3 towards the end of the first quarter, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo evaded pressure from the Panthers to hit Kittle over the middle for a 29-yard gain. Boston, who was playing the single high and shaded over to the strong side, came across the field and put a huge hit on the Pro Bowl tight end, getting himself flagged for 15 yards in the process:
It's a double move and CAR's Thompson is lost in coverage, absolutely turned around. FWIW, Thompson was rated in the top-10 as a cover linebacker, per PFF and was exposed on this play.
Kittle makes the 29-yard grab and holds on, despite a HUGE hit from S Tre Boston. pic.twitter.com/iNg0YAWwYq
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) October 30, 2019
Kittle held onto the ball, however, and San Francisco would find the end zone after a 19-yard run by running back Tevin Coleman. The 49ers would eventually win the game 51-13.
Boston's hit didn't look particularly malicious. But there was a clear helmet-to-helmet hit, which is almost always going to draw a flag and, in many cases, a fine. So far this season, Boston has been hit with only two penalties.