Texans safety Calen Bullock was penalized for a hit on a defenseless player that sent Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose to the hospital. Bullock said he doesn’t expect punishment from the NFL, even though it’s almost certain Bullock will be fined.

“No not really” Bullock said, via KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. “My intention was never to go out and just try to take someone completely out of the game and hurt someone.”

Officials were unable to eject Bullock with 9:34 left in the third quarter after he injured DuBose, who left him attended to by medical personnel on the field for 11 minutes before being transported by ambulance to a local hospital. DuBose will remain in the hospital overnight but received “positive feedback“After undergoing head and neck imaging, coach Mike McDaniel said after the game.

“My intention was never to go out and not hurt anyone, that’s never our intention,” Bullock said. “So, our prayers go out to him and his family. I hope he’s well. I just saw the ball and broke the ball and it was just one of those plays.”

The Texans were without linebacker Azeez Al-Shair, who missed his second game while serving a three-game suspension for an illegal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence was carted off with a concussion.

Now Bullock is in the spotlight for his illegal attack.

“It’s very difficult for a defensive player because we’re trying to protect him, but we also want to protect ourselves,” Bullock said. “You can hit us wrong. They are angles. You think too much about protecting everyone on the field, but sometimes that doesn’t work. At the end of the day, it’s still a violent game.”