Report: NFL looking at Ahmad Brooks hit

The NFL has decided to review the hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, according to reports.

Brooks was penalised for a personal foul late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's match, negating a sack and a fumble that may have given the 49ers a chance to see out the three-point lead they had at the time.

Instead, the Saints were able to kick a game-tying field goal before going on to win the match in the closing stages with another kick that made it 23-20.

Brooks was adamant that his hit was legal, a view supported by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who described the incident as a "great play".

However, the rules prohibit players from hitting the quarterback in the head or neck and the NFL is thought to view the play as a textbook example of that, according to ESPN.

If the league decides that Brooks was guilty of an illegal play then he will face a fine rather than a ban.