ESPN NFL

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware has been fined $12,500 by the league for a hit against Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna last Sunday that NFL officials determined constituted unnecessary roughness.

It is at least the second such career sanction against Ware, who was fined $5,000 in 2006 for helmet-to-helmet contact against Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell in the second game of the season.

The play for which Ware was fined on Sunday came with 3:29 remaining in the first quarter, when he lifted Kitna and then drove him into the turf at Ford Field after a 10-yard completion on a third-and-8 situation. Ware was flagged for a personal foul and was penalized 13 yards, or half the distance to the goal, moving the ball to the Dallas 13.

The Lions' possession culminated in a 19-yard field goal by Jason Hanson.

Players from both teams were particularly vocal in the days preceding the game. And Dallas cornerback Terence Newman was specifically cautioned in a letter from league vice president Ray Anderson that his threatening comments toward Kitna would earn him close scrutiny from game officials.

It is not yet known if Ware, not regarded as a player who regularly demonstrates excessive force, will appeal the fine. The Cowboys' first-round choice in the 2005 draft, Ware is expected to be a strong candidate for defensive player of the year honors.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.