T.J. Ward Reportedly Fined $10K for Throwing Punch at Jeremy Maclin

After throwing a punch at Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin last Sunday and getting ejected from the game, Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward was reportedly fined $10,000 on Thursday.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post was the first to report Ward's punishment.

The foul in question occurred during a contest the Broncos went on to lose, 29-13, due largely to the struggles of ailing quarterback Peyton Manning.

Denver was clearly frustrated throughout the game, and Ward ultimately took it out on Maclin. Per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post, however, the 28-year-old defensive back maintains he was provoked to some degree:   

"

That last play he came over and tried to cheap-shot me again and I got emotional. I didn't really mean to punch him. I don't even think that I punched him, if you see it, but it looked like a windup. You can take it how it is. ... They were a pretty dirty team—the O-linemen, receivers and tight ends. They were doing it last game and they continued to do it this game. It took an effect on me.

"

Maclin later took to Twitter to respond to Ward's claims that the Chiefs and Maclin weren't playing fairly:

Ward risked a suspension by taking a swing at Maclin, but both he and the Broncos would be fortunate to only face a fine.

Denver will look to get back on track this weekend against a suddenly hot Chicago Bears team, and having a two-time Pro Bowler in the lineup at safety against quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery could go a long way toward accomplishing that.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.