New York – In the wake of a helmet‑to‑helmet collision that sent Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion to the turf, Jets defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn defended veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Glenn told reporters that the play was a typical “bang‑bang” moment and that Fitzpatrick has never been a dirty player.
Coach Glenn’s comments
“Listen, I think Minkah initially tried to go with the shoulder and, as always, sometimes the offensive guy might put their head down. It’s not like he tried to do it or the offensive guy tried,” Glenn said. “It’s just some of those things that happen in a bang‑bang situation and they’re tough to call. I do know this: Minkah’s not a dirty player. He’s never been a dirty player. And, listen, Concepcion, man, I’m glad to see him get up and be able to walk off the field like he did. But, no, I don’t think Minkah is a dirty player at all.”
What happened on the field
During the first quarter, Fitzpatrick was flagged for a facemask penalty while defending Concepcion. Later, as the ball approached, Fitzpatrick made contact that caused Concepcion’s helmet to hit the playing surface with full force. Officials called a second penalty for a hit on a defenseless receiver.
Player reactions
After the game, Concepcion posted on Instagram, “Y’all know I’m good thanks to the Lord and Savior,” indicating he was unharmed. Browns head coach Todd Monken, who has faced Fitzpatrick many times as an assistant, echoed Glenn’s assessment, saying, “Minkah has been in this league for a long time. He’s not a dirty player, I’ve never seen that out of him — it’s a bang‑bang play, unfortunately it happened to our guy, and that’s part of the league.”
Context and safety concerns
The NFL continues to emphasize player safety, especially regarding helmet‑to‑helmet contact. While the league reviews each incident, coaches on both sides of the ball often describe such collisions as part of the game’s physical nature. Glenn’s remarks highlight the Jets’ view that Fitzpatrick’s intent was not malicious, and they hope the incident will not affect the player’s reputation.
Looking ahead
Both teams will review the footage as the season progresses. The Jets remain focused on their defensive strategy, and the Browns will monitor Concepcion’s health while preparing for upcoming matchups. The conversation around player safety and clean play is likely to continue as the league evaluates each incident on a case‑by‑case basis.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
