The NFL handed Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith a hefty fine on Saturday afternoon. The 10-year veteran must pay an $87,000 fine for an unnecessary roughness violation he committed against the Lions in Week 3.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Smith was fined for using his helmet on a hit that he made during a special teams return. Watch the play below.
You can see Keith Smith (No. 40) laying out a #Lions player here. That hit — specifically using the helmet to make it — is what led to one of the biggest fines so far this NFL season. https://t.co/r55xGIE5HK pic.twitter.com/4Peo6jq4c2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 30, 2023
Smith wasn’t the only Falcons player fined on Sunday, though. Linebacker Kaden Elliss was fined over $16,000 for another unnecessary roughness call in Week 3, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
The NFL also fined Falcons LB Kaden Elliss $16,391 for unnecessary roughness against the Lions.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) September 30, 2023