Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson was not suspended for his role in an altercation with Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan on Sunday. Multiple reports indicate that Johnson and Finnegan were fined $25,000 apiece.
Johnson does not plan to appeal the fine. He said that he reached out to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with a phone call on Monday morning in an attempt to discuss the incident.
"Like I said after the game, it's not something that I'm proud about, but I have to suffer the consequences for my actions," Johnson said. "I'm happy that I'm not suspended, but at the same time, I'm not happy about my actions."
Johnson will be available for the Texans' Thursday night game at the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 7-4 and tied for first place in the NFC East. The Texans are 5-6 and one game behind division leaders Jacksonville and Indianapolis in the tightly-packed AFC South.
"It's over, and we need to move forward," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "I was not surprised, speaking from Andre's perspective. I know there was some concern whether he would be suspended. I didn't think that would happen. I think the league does a great job at evaluating every situation, and Andre's reputation as a person and a player speaks for itself."
Johnson was ejected with 7:53 left in the fourth quarter against the Titans after he and Finnegan got into a fistfight. The two players ripped off each other's helmets, and Johnson landed at least two punches before officials and other players broke up the brawl.
After the game, Johnson issued a public apology for losing his cool. The soft-spoken receiver said that the fight was provoked by a build-up over several plays throughout the game. Finnegan and Johnson also tussled last season in Week 2 at Tennessee, and Johnson said last week that Finnegan's after-the-whistle tactics have gotten under his skin in previous meetings.
"I think anybody who really knows me, I wouldn't say I damaged my reputation," Johnson said. "I can say you only can take so much from a person before you explode. That's pretty much it."
This was the fourth time Finnegan has been fined for a personal foul this season. Johnson was asked if he was surprised that Finnegan wasn't suspended.
"I'm not worried about him," he said. "I could care less."
Johnson had nine catches for 56 yards and a touchdown before being ejected on Sunday. With his fourth catch of the game, he became the first wide receiver in NFL history with at least 60 receptions in each of his first eight seasons.
A four-time Pro Bowler, he leads the Texans with 65 catches, 869 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games this season.
"You all know what he means to this team," Kubiak said. "We focused on the game today. It was about the game we played yesterday and the good things that went on. We've got a big challenge on our hands here real quick. It's easy for us to move on, and that's what we are doing as a team."
