TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Tampa Bay receiver Keenan McCardell was fined $12,500 by the NFL for two illegal blocks, including one that sidelined Carolina lineman Kavika Pittman for the rest of the season.

The 12th-year pro also was cited by the league for using an illegal crackback block on a running play during the first quarter of the Buccaneers’ 12-9 overtime loss to the Panthers last Sunday.

McCardell said Friday the blocks were legal and he has filed an appeal of the fine.

“The one on Kavika Pittman wasn’t a high-low,” he said. “I really wasn’t trying to hurt anybody. My intent is not to hurt anybody out on that field like that with an illegal block.”

“They know it’s a cut-off block. Most receivers cut off the end of the line of scrimmage. It just happened that way. My regrets go out to him, but I was not trying to hurt him.”

Pittman tore the anterior and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee when McCardell blocked him during overtime. The defensive end will spend the rest of the season on injured reserve.

Some of the Panthers complained about the block on Pittman after the game, and it was one of several plays that Carolina coach John Fox asked the league to review.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden declined to comment on whether the blocks were legal.

“All I know is we’re remorseful that a player got injured,” Gruden said. “We take a lot of pride here in playing within the rules. Obviously, for Kavika Pittman we’re all concerned. We hate to see that.”

AP-ES-09-19-03 1445EDT