Rivers is reportedly out for the season with a broken jaw. Ward has been fined twice this season for hits that the NFL deemed unnecessarily rough, but he wasn't penalized on the Rivers hit and shouldn't be fined for it, either. It was a rough block, but it was a clean block. Ward is one of the NFL's most physical receivers, and while it's unfortunate for Rivers, it's part of the game.
Week 7 Injuries
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush's injury woes strike again. The Saints' running back/return man injured his knee bringing back a punt - the diagnosis is a torn meniscus, which will require arthroscopic surgery and cost Bush several weeks of action.
Paul Jasienski, Getty Images
Roy Williams
And, just like that, the Cowboys are down to one Roy Williams again. Roy Williams, the safety, broke his right forearm again in Dallas' loss on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.
Jeff Roberson, AP
Ike Hilliard
The veteran Tampa Bay receiver was drilled by Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill and had to be carted off the field. He was kept overnight at a hospital for observation after suffering a concussion.
John Raoux, AP
Devin Hester
The Bears' burner hurt his quad during Chicago's wild 48-41 victory over Minnesota. Hester returned the second half's opening kick, but did not drift back when the Vikings kicked off later in the third quarter.
Jeff Gross, Getty Images
Steven Jackson
What goes up, must come down. Jackson ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams' upset of Dallas - but sustained a thigh injury late that will require an MRI.
Tom Gannam, AP
Jeremy Shockey
After his first game back from a groin injury, Shockey said he may have reaggravated the problem in Sunday's Saints loss.
Chuck Burton, AP
Brodie Croyle
Kansas City's miserable season goes from bad to worse when quarterback Brodie Croyle - in his first game back from a separated shoulder - limped off with a sprained knee. After the game, Chiefs coach Herm Edwards declared Croyle done for the season.
David Eulitt, The Kansas City Star / MCT
Keith Rivers
Cincinnati lost Rivers for the season during Sunday's game, when Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward peeled back and delivered a punishing block that broke Rivers' jaw. Watch Video of Big Hit
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
10-19-2008 @ 7:03PM
bigbob said...
he should be thrown out of the league for this dirty hit
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10-19-2008 @ 7:20PM
tim said...
What dirty hit?? Looked legit to me....that was timid compared to some other hits!
10-20-2008 @ 2:12PM
Gator said...
Quit being a puss! this is the NFL dude! you better pack a lunch and come ready to play the steelers on sunday and if you don't know by now Hines is out for blood! then you dont need to be on the field!
10-20-2008 @ 10:18PM
Dave said...
The Bengals D should be thrown out of the league for not dealing it back out!!!!!!!!!!! What a bunch of panzies!
10-21-2008 @ 1:33AM
james brown said...
ok i agree hines ward is a borderline cheap shot he take u out if he knows your not looking but now the bengals u may have known your man was out in the 2nd half but after coming back onto the field u know your guy has a broken jaw from ward in hockey they have a enforcer in baseball the call a high and tight in foot ball he has a number he was called on for a few more plays and nothin happen until mainly at the end of the game comeon cincy and clev when are you going to stand up and be a man pittsburg punks u every time every game and u sit back and take it and u take and u take it every game every down u better ready to fight u wear that uniform cause thats where u wanted to play so now it time to stand up to all the punks down and cheap shots and be a man a man i would have hit him so hard so many times he might have wanted to change his number after the game or as man iam not saying hurt this guy on perpose but what iam saying is hines ward your it tag and blow him out of his socks
10-21-2008 @ 2:17AM
whatever said...
dude he blocked a guy without the use of his helmet that was approximately within 3 yrds of the carrier. what did he do wrong?
oh yea i guess only safeties and linebackers can lay these hits on people. this discussion only makes troy's allegations even better. leave the guy alone, oh no wr's can't lay blocks like that but they sure can get nailed by a safety without a 2nd look. keep playing hard ward, not many position players are willing to risk their bodies like you do.
10-21-2008 @ 8:00PM
rsw said...
Ward made a great hit this is the NFL. It was a clean hit. The NFL is not going to fine him. SO what is the problem? IF it was the other way around you would not be crying. He is a physical player GO WARD GO STEELERS!!
10-21-2008 @ 8:53PM
jpoe70 said...
Hines did what he he gets paid to do,help his team win maybe if T.O. blocked like that he wouldn't be on his 3rd team,as for big bob you should watch womens tennis or something less violent if you think Hines should be kicked out of the league.I would take hines ward on my team any day over some of the primmadonna WR in the NFL,johnson,moss owens,to name three.GO STEELERS!!
10-22-2008 @ 6:29PM
J said...
BIGBOB appears you know little about football...NO FINE, NO PENALTY, NO SUSPENSION. When you know the game come back now....ya hear
10-19-2008 @ 7:13PM
BTP said...
If a defensive player makes this hit, he's a tough guy, an all pro, a real old school linebacker, etc.
A wide out does it and there is outcry. What, they're embarrassed a wide receiver is jacking people up? No flags on the plays, cause there was nothing wrong with them. Suck it up.
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10-19-2008 @ 7:32PM
Steel Wheel said...
Big Bob is full of Big Crap! I saw the hit, completely legit. They teach wideouts in peewee to block downfield...it's part of the game. Where in the rules is it written that only the defense can lay big hits? Eric Smith was granted a reprieve for his devastating hit on Boldin, this hit was no where near that hit. It's the players job to have his peripheral eyes on when on the field. I got hit like that when I played, only complaint I had was that I wasn't keepin my head on a swivel. If you truly think this was an illegal hit then you obviously have never played a down of football, never been coached and are legitimately out of touch. Hines is playin an MVP type season with all these hits. Stop protesting and start opening your frickin eyes...Hines is out there, knowing it and remembering it will prevent your ass from gettin hit.
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10-19-2008 @ 7:48PM
matway2 said...
Uh, when he leaves his feet, leads with his helmet, and comes under the guys chin he should be fined and suspended.
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10-21-2008 @ 3:47PM
rrm1906 said...
WARD IS 5-10 RIVERS IS 6-3...ALL WARD DID IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO PINCH ....ROLL UR HEAD INTO UR SHOULDER PADS AND FIRE OUT...IM A FORMER STRONG SAFETY...AND THAT IS HIT THAT REMINDS ME OF THE RULE ...KEEP UR HEAD ON A SWIVEL AND WATCH THE CRACKBACKS
10-21-2008 @ 12:31PM
Brian said...
"UH"- WATCH the Play. His plant foot was on the GROUND when he hit Rivers with his SHOULDER. "UH" - Rivers was taking (attempting) an angle on Spaeth and Ward broke off his route, came back to the play and threw a BLOCK. Period. End of Story.
Watch the Whole Play, the collision between the actual tackler and Spaeth was pretty violent. They BOTH lowered their Shoulders to deliver a blow. Watch the hit again: It was his SHOULDER that sent Rivers into next week. Next time, he will not be so tunnel visioned on attempting a tackle.
When you lower your shoulder, your head is going to follow. It's in close proximity.
When Ray Lewis took out that punter a few years back, it was just an addition to his highlight reel.
Watch any DB hitting a WR over the middle. Nothing different.
10-19-2008 @ 7:49PM
Steel Wheel said...
It's football 101 for receivers...if the ball isn't in your hands, "block". This hit was clean just like every hit Ward has ever laid. Look at the tape dumbass. Head in front, shoulders squared and drives threw the opponent. If this hit is made by a lineman you're not even talking about this. Only reason Hines get this attention is because nobody expects it. He is the purest form of professional wide receiver.
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10-19-2008 @ 7:49PM
Joe said...
what an awesome block, hines is the man!
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10-19-2008 @ 7:52PM
AMart7 said...
I think Ward is one the best at his position and a tough player. This particular hit I would have to say, was a cheap shot! He led with the helmet, which is prohibited if I recall correctly. I have seen stiffer fines for far less.
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10-19-2008 @ 7:56PM
jncsystems said...
the guy led with his helmet and used it as a weapon . Hes been warned enough - maybe a 4 game suspension w/o pay will wake this guy up .
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10-19-2008 @ 8:04PM
Steel Wheel said...
Interesting take. It does look like he led with his helmet but he also didn't leave his feet. I'm wondering if he was bracing himself for the impact. I don't think his helmet hit Rivers before his shoulder pads did. I still think the hit is clean but I can see the argument that he used his helmet. If he's suspended I'll be pissed but i'll certainly understand why.
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10-19-2008 @ 8:05PM
eric b said...
they teach u in pee-wee leagues, keep your head on a swivel when u are on the field. It was a clean hit, his head WAS in front of the player. Some of u people need to quit cryin about every hit being dirty compared to how JACK TATUM and DICK BUTKUS used to hammer people with clotheslines! If u cant take the violence of football go watch DANCING WITH THE STARS!
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