Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr has criticized a “ridiculous” NFL fine after it was ruled his “pants failed to cover the knee area” during a game.

The 26-year-old has been fined $14,037 for the “uniform violation” in Cleveland’s 32-28 defeat by the Seattle Seahawks on October 13.

NFL rules state “pants must be worn over the entire knee area”.

“14k for some pants that are not gonna protect me from anything,” he said.

He posted a letter received from the NFL on his Instagram story, adding: “This […] is ridiculous.”

The NFL says uniform rules help to “protect players from injury, maintain competitive balance, create a professional appearance and protect the league’s business partnerships”.

Pants “shortened or rolled up to meet the stockings above the knee” are prohibited.

Beckham Jr can appeal against the fine – the 13th of his career.

He was fined the same amount earlier in October for his “unsportsmanlike conduct” in an on-field fight with Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

In 2016, he was fined $18,231 (£14,089) for a uniform violation.