ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The NFL fined Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh $30,000 on Wednesday for unnecessary roughness because he kicked Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area.

The previous day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league didn’t suspend him because it couldn’t reach a judgment on his intent.

Suh was on his chest after being taken down by an offensive lineman when his left cleat hit Schaub below the belt in Detroit’s loss to Houston last Thursday.

For the first time, Suh tried to explain what happened.

“It’s a crazy play, it’s one that unfortunately happened,” he said. “I didn’t even realize it until the end of the game, when I see my Twitter feed, I see my friends telling me about it. Other than that, I can’t do much more about it. I was being dragged to the ground and my foot inadvertently hit the man.

“But it’s over with and I am moving forward and getting ready to play the Colts.”

Detroit will have Suh on the field when it hosts Indianapolis because he dodged a suspension.

49ers to start Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick has earned himself a third straight start at quarterback for San Francisco.

Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement that Kaepernick would go Sunday at St. Louis over Alex Smith after the second-year pro led the NFC West-leading Niners to victories in the past two games, his first two NFL starts.

Jaguars claim Babin

Jacksonville claimed two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin off waivers from Philadelphia. To make room on the roster, Jacksonville placed defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith (concussion/neck) on injured reserve.

Injury news

Lyle Sendlein, the Arizona Cardinals’ ironman center, is out for the season with a torn left MCL. Rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley will get his second start in a row when the team plays at the New York Jets on Sunday. ... Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden was cleared to practice, three days after sustaining the first concussion of his football career.

Family: NFL great Jack Pardee ill with cancer

Jack Pardee, 76, one of Bear Bryant’s “Junction Boys” who went on to become an All-Pro linebacker and an NFL coach, has been diagnosed with gall bladder cancer and has six to nine months to live, his family said Tuesday.