Bengals’ Burfict reportedly fined $25K for twisting ankles

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been fined $25,000 for intentionally twisting the ankles of two Carolina Panthers players, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Burfict was fined for twisting the ankles of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen as they lay on the ground after touchdowns during Sunday’s game.

A source told ESPN on Tuesday that the league would review the allegations. Panthers coach Ron Rivera sent tapes of the plays to the league office supporting the accusations. A source said that the tapes reveal the ankle-twisting is more obvious on the Newton play than it is on the play on which Olsen was injured.

“This happens more than you think and more than it should,” a league source told ESPN. “Burfict is one of those guys. Always on the edge.”

Last season, Burfict led the NFL with eight personal foul penalties.

Olsen called for Burfict to be suspended.

“Punishment needs to go beyond a fine,” Olsen said Monday. “Guys like that don’t learn from that stuff.”

Burfict has been fined at least three times, once at the $10,000 level — for striking Green Bay Packers tight end Ryan Taylor below the belt last season — and twice at $21,000 for hits on receivers James Jones (Packers) and Stephen Hill (then with the Jets, now on the Panthers’ practice squad).