Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in Sunday’s victory at Oakland after he threw the ball at the head of Michael Crabtree.
But the league fined him $17,363 for a horse-collar tackle instead.
“I am definitely appealing this. All I did was ride him out on the tackle,” Jackson said.
If Jackson loses his appeal, Broncos players will have paid $63,655 this season in fines, with Jackson leading the way with $26,044. He also was fined $8,681 for a late hit in Week 2.
Offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus was penalized for unnecessary roughness on a tackle in the fourth quarter, but he said he did not receive a fine notice.
On film, it appeared the Raiders defender fell to the ground in order to draw the penalty.
Tight end move. The Broncos waived tight end Mitchell Henry and signed Richard Gordon to their active roster.
Gordon, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end from the University of Miami, was drafted by the Raiders in the sixth round (No. 181) in 2011. After two seasons in Oakland, Gordon had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in March as an unrestricted free agent.
In 34 career games, he has caught four passes for 14 yards and one touchdown.
In addition to playing tight end, he also has played fullback and special teams, recording 18 career tackles.
“He’s a big, physical guy,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “We need that type of help with (Owen Daniels) and Virgil (Green), so we brought him in here.”
The transaction comes less than a week after Henry, a waiver claim from Green Bay, was kept over veteran tight end/fullback James Casey when the Broncos had to clear a roster spot for defensive end Derek Wolfe. The move appeared to signal the Broncos’ appreciation for Henry, a player they had hoped to sign as a college free agent after the 2015 draft.
Sambrailo returns. Broncos left offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo returned to practice on a limited basis after missing two games with a shoulder injury.
Sambrailo ran through individual drills and remains on a day-to-day basis, Kubiak said.
Footnotes. Daniels, Peyton Manning and guard Louis Vasquez were given days off from practice Wednesday. … Guard Evan Mathis (hamstring), cornerback Aqib Talib (ankle), receiver Demaryius Thomas (neck) and running back Juwan Thompson (hamstring) did not participate. … Receivers Bennie Fowler (hamstring) and Cody Latimer (groin) were limited, as was offensive tackle Ryan Harris (knee). … Josh Bush, the former Broncos safety who was waived to clear a spot for offensive tackle Polumbus, was signed by the Buffalo Bills. He will take the spot of Aaron Williams, who was placed on Buffalo’s reserve/injured list.
