Broncos Locke and Wattenberg fined | 9news.com

TAMPA, Fla. – Unlike the college football game he was watching, Broncos safety PJ Locke was not ejected for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III last week.

But unlike in college football, Locke was fined over $25,000 for his offense.

Locke received two identical fines from the NFL totaling $13,972 – one for his unnecessarily hard hit on a defenseless player and one for unsportsmanlike conduct for removing his helmet – a total of $27,944. Locke was also penalized 15 yards on the play, although the Steelers failed to capitalize and punted the ball away four plays later.

Locke – who has otherwise played well in the Broncos' first two games and received high marks from scouting websites such as Pro Football Focus – told media members this week that the reason he took off his helmet and punched the ground in frustration was because, after watching so much college football in which many hard hits resulted in targeted ejections, he believed he had been ejected.

Locke is expected to appeal the fines.

The league also fined Broncos center Luke Wattenberg $5,872 for a blindside block with 1:15 left in the third quarter. Wattenberg was not penalized for the play and will likely appeal as well.