Peyton Manning fined $8,268

The NFL has fined Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning $8,268 for taunting, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Thursday.

Manning was fined for his actions in last Saturday's preseason game against the Houston Texans, getting in the face of Houston safety D.J. Swearinger following a 29-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders in the second quarter. Earlier, Swearinger's blow to the helmet of Broncos receiver Wes Welker resulted in a concussion for Welker.

"I accept the fine. It's money well spent," Manning told Mortensen.

It was the first time in Manning's career that he had been flagged for taunting. A look at his preseason and regular-season career penalty totals reveals Manning had not been flagged for any sort of unsportsmanlike conduct before the taunting penalty.

"Fifteen yards with five seconds left in the half doesn't hurt you that much," Manning said following the game. "I think if you're going to get one that's a good time to get one."

The Broncos recently ran tests on Welker and don't believe his concussion is as serious as the two he suffered last season, but he remains sidelined under the league's concussion protocol.

It's the third time Welker has been under the guidelines of the league's concussion protocol since Nov. 17.

After the game, Swearinger said he was surprised his hit resulted in a penalty, but that he tried to make the play cleanly.

Information from ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold was included in this story.