The Sports Xchange

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones is expected to be fined but avoid a suspension after ripping the helmet off of Oakland Raiders rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Pro Football Talk reported, via a league source, that Jones will get just a fine after the incident when Cooper had his helmet removed and his head slammed into it by Jones during Cincinnati’s 33-13 victory Sunday.

Cooper said after the game that he thought the officials would have handed down a “harsher penalty” if they had a better view of what Jones did.

“Football is a physical game,” Cooper said after the game. “Things like that happen. … I feel like the refs didn’t see it well. If they did, they probably would’ve given a harsher penalty.

“I don’t think he should be suspended. We were just playing physical. I should’ve been playing physical. Honestly, I didn’t even know I hit my head on the helmet.”

Jones was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but avoided an ejection.

“Whatever you seen, that’s what happened,” Jones said after the win. “I’m not going to get into all that. I’m here to play football. I don’t back done from nobody and I ain’t out trying to start nothing. I’m just out playing football.

“There, I was ‘in the moment’ in that play. Like I said, we’re just out playing football. I’m not out to do that. I don’t want to hurt my team by no form or fashion but I’ve got to make sure I protect myself.”