Josh Norman Fined for Hit on Odell Beckham Jr.: Latest Comments and Reaction

Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman has been fined more than $26,000 for his actions during Sunday's heated battle with the New York Giants and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Jarrett Bell of USA Today first reported the NFL fined Norman $17,363 for striking in the head-and-neck area and an additional $8,681 for a facemask. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network confirmed the punishment. Rapoport added Norman is appealing the fines, noting the argument will be that he was provoked by Beckham.

Beckham was suspended one game for his actions in the matchup, which included a direct, helmet-to-helmet shot at the cornerback. He's currently appealing the ban and would lose $52,529—the amount equal to one game check—if it's upheld, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

Although both players were engaged in several physical confrontations throughout the contest, which Carolina won 38-35 to remain undefeated, Norman pinpointed the shot to the head as the most egregious. Ohm Youngmisuk and David Newton of ESPN passed along the corner's postgame remarks.

"The guy ran 15 yards down the field, dead-on collision," Norman said. "The play was all the way to the left side. He came back and was hunting, and it was just, like, malicious in every way."

The NFL seemingly agreed with his assessment of the danger of that hit, based on the difference between the two punishments, but Norman didn't escape entirely.

Ideally, the officials would have stepped in early in the game and tried to eliminate the problems. Since that didn't happen, the situation got out of hand, and now both players are dealing with the consequences.

With that said, now that Norman has avoided a suspension, he'll be available for the Panthers as they look to improve their unbeaten mark to 15-0 on Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons.