Buffalo Bills rookie Jalon Kilgore is already losing some of his first NFL paychecks.
The league announced this weekend that the safety had been handed down punishment for a hit in the team's preseason finale. Kilgore is in line for a significant role with the team this season, but not before coughing up some money to the NFL.
The NFL announced that Kilgore had been fined $5,560 for illegal use of the helmet against the Pittsburgh Steelers . The play occurred in the closing minute of the first half, a game where the Bills came back to win.
Kilgore was not the only Bills player to be handed a preseason fine. Defensive end Landon Jackson was fined $8,190 for unnecessary roughness in the first preseason game, and offensive lineman Chase Lundt was fined $5,868 for taunting in the second game.
The fine is significant for Kilgore, a fifth-round rookie who signed a four-year, $4.8-million contract.
Kilgore turned in some impressive performances through training camp and the preseason, giving him the chance to work his way up the depth chart at a key position. The Bills have a few question marks at safety, including whether the injury to veteran addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson could impact him in the regular season.
Kilgore shared reps with veteran Damar Hamlin as Gardner-Johnson's primary backup, and the rookie showed a strong ability to get to the quarterback on blitzes.
"I'm a big, fast, long guy so I feel like my blitzing ability can definitely help me get to the quarterback and definitely help some good schemes for the defense," Kilgore said, via the Democrat & Chronicle .
Kilgore could also earn some reps at special teams, but Gardner-Johnson predicted he would get some other opportunities to play on defense over the course of the season.
"He's a young guy who's prepared," Gardner-Johnson said. "The season is a marathon so you must remain prepared constantly. It's crucial to understand how things unfold over the course of the year, especially since players sustain injuries. There's a chance your number gets called sooner than anticipated, with a young player trying to step in early simply to get on the field. Nevertheless, he is a phenomenal talent. He has been developing in an excellent environment alongside many veteran players, and the focus remains on continuing to nurture his growth."
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