Clay Matthews has fines reduced

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews has had one of his fines from this season reduced by half and another one wiped out completely.

Matthews was originally handed a $15,000 (£9,250) fine for a late hit on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the season opener, but revealed that that punishment had since been reduced to $7,500 (£4,625).

The 27-year-old was also docked $15,750 (£9,700) for a tackle on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles in week 10 but, having initially appealed for a reduction, was told that they would get rid of the fine completely.

"I got the whole thing rescinded because I didn't hit him with my head. It was funny because he said I think you're underselling yourself as far as my appeal," Matthews told ESPN.

"He's like, 'I don't think you hit him with your head at all.' I thought I hit him legally, so $15,000 was way too much. And he said, 'Well, I don't think you really did anything, so we're going to take that away.' So that was a good day."

The Packers are currently on a three-match losing streak going in to Sunday's game against NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings.