Clay Matthews Fined $18,231 for Hit on Brian Hoyer: Details and Reaction

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews received a $18,231 fine from the NFL on Friday for the hit that broke the arm of Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported the league punished Matthews for leading with the crown of his helmet on the Hoyer hit during the NFC North clash in Week 7. The Bears QB was placed on injured reserve because of the injury.

The play in question came early in the second quarter when Matthews and Julius Peppers converged to hit Hoyer on a third-down play. No penalty was called against the Packers. Matt Barkley came on to finish the game for Chicago.

It marked an unfortunate setback for Hoyer, who'd been playing some of the best football of his career before the injury.

He tallied at least 300 yards in four straight games with six touchdowns and no interceptions while filling in for the injured Jay Cutler, who's slated to return this week.

Meanwhile, Matthews is questionable for the Packers' Week 8 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons due to a hamstring injury. Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official website passed along comments from the veteran linebacker about his status after previously dealing with a hamstring issue earlier in the year.

"Same kind of deal but I feel like I'm further along," he said. "I think we're just being smart and cautious especially with this 10-game run we have. You hate for something to happen and be out several weeks. I think we're trying to be smart in that regard."

It also marks the fourth straight season Matthews has been fined for a hit on a quarterback. He's been tagged for a late hit on Colin Kaepernick, a blindside hit on Russell Wilson and roughing the passer on Nick Foles since the start of the 2013 campaign.