Jacksonville Jaguars safety DONOVIN DARIUS has been fined $75,000 for unnecessary roughness last Sunday against Green Bay Packers wide receiver ROBERT FERGUSON, the NFL announced today.

NFL Director of Football Operations GENE WASHINGTON issued the fine, noting in a letter to Darius that on a pass play, "you violently and unnecessarily struck your opponent in the neck and head area with your forearm."

Darius was ejected from the game by referee Ed Hochuli.

Washington stated that Darius' actions violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 1(c) of the NFL Official Playing Rules, which prohibit:

"…striking, swinging, or clubbing to the head, neck, or face with the heel, back, or side of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or clasped hands."

Darius has no prior history of on-field violations of this magnitude, but Washington's letter emphasized that future infractions of this type by Darius will lead to increased disciplinary action, including possible suspension.