The NFL fined Jets cornerback Arthur Maulet $21,056 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in New York’s 16-10 win over the Steelers last weekend.
Maulet dragged down Steelers wide receiver James Washington with a horse-collar tackle. Washington hobbled directly off the field to the trainer’s table after the ugly play.
Washington returned to Sunday’s contest and caught five passes of his eight targets for 41 yards. He missed out on a chance for possibly the game-winning score when Jets safety Marcus Maye broke up what would have been a 44-yard touchdown on Pittsburgh’s final drive.
Despite the NFL digging into his pocket, Maulet has been a nice addition to the Jets secondary with the team reeling at the cornerback position.
Formerly with the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, Maulet signed a reserve/future contract with New York back in January 2019. In Week 3, Maulet made his first mark in green and white by returning a muffed punt for a touchdown in the Jets 30-14 loss in New England.
New York subsequently waived Maulet on Oct. 15 but re-signed him to the team’s practice squad. The Jets promoted him to the active roster at the end of the month with Trumaine Johnson placed on injured reserve and Daryl Roberts sidelined.
Maulet has nursed a calf injury of his own but has made the most of his opportunity, despite his ugly tackle in Week 15. It would be surprising if he wasn’t back with Gang Green in 2020, being a camp body at the very least.