Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward has been fined by the NFL for his vicious hit on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jordan Shipley.

Ward would not say how much he was fined, but a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the league assessed him a $15,000 penalty for the hit on Shipley in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak about the fine.

An NFL spokesman said he was not aware that Ward had been fined.

Ward struck Shipley after an incomplete pass in the closing minutes of Cleveland’s 23-20 win. Shipley sustained a concussion.

Ward said he was not trying to hurt Shipley.

“A ridiculous play,” Bengals receiver Terrell Owens said after the game. “The guy’s defenseless. I just hate to see a guy get hit like that in the head. For him to take a cheap shot like that, that’s uncalled for.

“At one point, I thought [Shipley] was out cold. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head. You never want to see a teammate in that situation.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.