Jalen Ramsey was fined $17,389 by the NFL for his hit on Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 9, according to the NFL operations page. The hit was deemed to be in violation of the NFL’s defenseless player rules for player safety.

The play happened with 4:46 remaining in the fourth quarter of the game and resulted in a 15-yard penalty. The Colts scored two plays later with a touchdown for WR Josh Downs.

This is the hit on Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. by Jalen Ramsey that he was fined $17,389 for. Deemed Unnecessary Roughness (Hit on a defenseless player). I’d imagine he is appealing this. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/d45qhmMcpj

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 8, 2025

Pittman must have been having some flashbacks to 2023, when Damontae Kazee crushed him with a similar hit, resulting in a concussion for Pittman and a suspension for Kazee. Ramsey’s hit wasn’t quite as vicious, but there was still an audible crash on the broadcast.

By definition, the NFL deems Pittman a defenseless player here because he is a player attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner, per Section 2, (a), (3) of the NFL rule book. Here is what the rule book prohibits, and why Ramsey was flagged and fined.

“Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.”

The initial TV angle looked like a clean hit for Ramsey, but it was perhaps a little bit high. The NFL effectively agreed with the penalty flag thrown on the field by fining him.

Ramsey had this to say about the penalty (and hit) when asked in his media availability this week.

“I’m just playing, man, playing the only way I know how to play. Trying to keep the game of football fierce, physical, competitive. And in those opportunities, I’ll continue to do the same thing,” Ramsey said via the Steelers’ YouTube. “I did it legally, didn’t hit him in the head and neck area. I kept my head and neck out of it. So, I’ll continue to do those things and hopefully not get penalized for playing the game the right way.”

Clearly he disagrees with the penalty and fine, but don’t expect that to change the way he plays.