San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has criticised New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees of being too weak to take a hit during his side's 23-20 defeat a fortnight ago.

Ahmad Brooks was handed a fine by the NFL for a late hit on Brees, which Whitner said was down solely to the QB not being strong enough.

"That's not right because he did everything that he was supposed to do," NFL.com quotes Whitner as saying. "It's not his fault that Drew Brees is a little guy and can't really take a hit.

"He can't take a hit. Ahmad is, what, 260 pounds? Brees is, what, six foot, 190? Just because it looks bad, because this guy's in the weight room and does his job. [Brooks] rushes the quarterback and put a hit on him, which is part of the game of football. He can't take a hit."

Brooks has appealed against the fine handed to him.