Panthers' Reid: 'I didn't even know' players could be ejected

Even in his NFL sixth season, Eric Reid is still learning.

"I didn't even know you could be ejected," the Carolina Panthers safety said following Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reid was given a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and ejected from the contest after making contact with Ben Roethlisberger's head on what was ruled a late hit. The Panthers went on to lose 52-21.

"The referees told me I was targeting him, which I disagree with," Reid said.

Steelers players rushed the safety after the whistle in defense of their quarterback. Once the teams were separated, Reid made his way to Roethlisberger to clear the air.

"I told him I didn’t intend to hurt him by any means,” Reid explained. “I just said no hard feelings. He said there were no hard feelings."

He added: "These plays happen so fast. My job is to tackle that guy. I was simply doing my job. It was a bang-bang play."

Reid finished the game with a team-leading six combined tackles.