EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for kicking Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang in their game Sunday.

Robison received word of the fine Wednesday. He apologized to Lang, the league and the Vikings via Twitter on Sunday evening after he kicked Lang in the groin during a field goal try in the second quarter of a 33-27 loss to the Packers.

Lang replied on Twitter that he accepted Robison’s apology and did not consider him a dirty player.

Robison says he got caught up in the heat of the moment when he kicked Lang, who had dumped him on to his back during Mason Crosby’s field goal attempt. Robison says he regrets it and will make sure it doesn’t happen again.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The setup: The Cardinals had the ball and were trailing 14-0. It was second and 1 from the Cardinals 29-yard line. There was 8:22 remaining in the first quarter.

The situation: The game already had turned into a debacle with Minnesota scoring two quick touchdowns. The Cardinals hoped to get on the board quickly and swing the momentum in their favor.

The call: Quarterback Kevin Kolb was in the shotgun. He took the snap and quickly was sacked by Vikings defensive end Brian Robison for a loss of 7 yards. Kolb fumbled, and Minnesota’s Jared Allen recovered.

The impact: The Vikings took over possession with great field position at the Arizona 25. They scored five plays later to take a 21-0 lead.

The quote: “I’m as frustrated as I’ve ever been.” – Kolb