Bengals CB Adam Jones revealed Wednesday on his Twitter account that the NFL had fined him $15,000 for a horse-collar tackle against Washington running back Alfred Morris in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 38-31 win.

“I’m not happy about it. I don’t think that’s fair,” Jones said. “I could see if it was a late hit or something. I ain’t trying to get in no competition, but no way a guy can hit someone late and only get $10,000 and I get $15,000 for a horse collar. It’s ridiculous.”

According to the NFL’s schedule of fines, the minimum fine for a first offense of a horse collar tackle is $15,750. The minimum for a first offense late hit is $7,875. Jones said he would appeal the fine.

On Thursday, Jones also said the league fined him $75,000 for an off-field incident in downtown Cincinnati that occurred last year during the lockout.

Thank you, ref: Players might not actually hug NFL officials when they return to action this week, but they will be a welcome sight.

“A ‘Thank you’ at least,” Jones said. "I respect what they were going through. We went through the same thing. I’m just happy it got to a point where they finally decided, let’s get this done. It’s a good thing for the whole National Football League. It should be good.”

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association reached a new eight-year collective bargaining agreement Wednesday evening, meaning regular officials will return to work beginning with Thursday night’s Cleveland at Baltimore game. Replacement officials, some previously with only small college experience, had worked the first three weeks.

“There were some noticeable calls,” said Bengals linebacker Manny Lawson, “but every game has questionable calls, especially when they go against you. You always want to question them, but I’m glad the situation is over and has been handled and we can get back to just playing football.”

Following the fiasco that was the ending of Monday night’s Seattle victory against Green Bay, when officials ruled Seattle WR Golden Tate had simultaneous possession of a pass in the end zone with Packers DB M.D. Jennings to give the Seahawks a game-winning touchdown, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told his players to stay away from saying anything about the replacements.

“I told our guys to shut up,” Lewis said on Wednesday. “It’s not your business. You don’t have any influence on it. You don’t need to worry about it. Just go out and play football.”

One complaint heard over the last three weeks was how defensive backs were getting away with greater physical play against receivers. Jones said he expects less of that kind of play now.

“Guys are going to have to play with a lot of technique now,” Jones said. “You’re not going to get away with the touching down the field. It should be good for the game and for us as a whole.”

Zimmer optimistic: Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said even though cornerbacks Leon Hall and Nate Clements have not practiced the last two days, he expects them to play this Sunday at Jacksonville.

“We’re anticipating these guys playing, Leon and Clements,” said Zimmer after practice on Thursday.

Hall, coming off of an Achilles tendon tear that cut his 2011 season in half, sat out last week’s game at Washington with a hamstring injury but worked on agility drills Thursday. Clements suffered a calf injury against Washington. Fellow cornerback Jason Allen also did not practice Thursday with a thigh injury. He played at Washington and was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Center Jeff Faine didn't practice on Thursday because of a hamstring issue. He was dressed in his practice gear and watched practice.

Defensive ends Carlos Dunlap (knee) and Michael Johnson (foot) were limited in practice, as were running back Bernard Scott (ankle) and left tackle Andrew Whitworth (knee). Safety Reggie Nelson (shoulder) had full participation after being limited on Wednesday.

Kevin Goheen contributed to this report.

Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSBengals.