Broncos’ Justin Simmons not expecting fine for Jimmy Garoppolo hit

Justin Simmons wasn’t totally sure live, but upon video review he sees nothing wrong with his hit on Las Vegas quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter Sunday.

The Broncos’ veteran safety crashed in to try to stop Garoppolo from getting a first down on the Raiders’ opening drive. He lunged forward with his helmet and was flagged for a personal foul. Garoppolo rolled over and held his head after the play and exited the game for two snaps after the NFL’s spotter had him removed for a concussion evaluation.

Vegas took a timeout before third-and-goal as Garoppolo got cleared, allowing him to return to the game and throw a touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers.

The video shows Simmons ducking his head, but making contact with either his helmet or his shoulder in Garoppolo’s midsection and then hitting his own teammate, outside linebacker Frank Clark.

“I did see that, somebody sent me (the clip), a close friend of mine,” Simmons told reporters Wednesday. “I guess great acting on Jimmy’s end. But if I get a fine… I think anyone who watches that clip can tell there was no force with the helmet. I hit his shoulder pad with my elbow and I think the rest of what I was aiming for, I ended up hitting either his back or Frank. Those types of plays are so bang-bang, critical third down. I’m not really sure how close the yardage was in real time.

“I don’t make the rules, but I don’t think it was fine-worthy. If it was, I’m sure we’ll do a good job with the appeal to that.”

It was one of three personal fouls on the Broncos’ defense Sunday. Nickel Essang Bassey drew a roughing-the-passer penalty and safety Kareem Jackson an unnecessary roughness penalty for a hit to the head on Meyers late in the game.

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