Cowboys LB Damone Clark fined for roughness; 2 Bills docked for hits on Dak Prescott

From @ToddBrock24f7: The linebacker grabbed the helmet opening of James Cook during a first-quarter tackle in Week 15 but did not draw a penalty flag.

Referee Craig Wrolstad’s crew didn’t deem it a penalty at the time, but the NFL has stepped in and decided that Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark used unnecessary roughness in bringing down Bills running back James Cook during the Dallas loss last Sunday.

Clark has incurred a fine of $5,170 for the play.

The incident came just as the first quarter ended. On the second play following Sam Williams’s roughing the punter penalty and down 7-0, the Cowboys defense found themselves chasing Cook after a short pass turned into a chain-moving scamper.

Markquese Bell had the first crack at Cook but missed the tackle. Twenty-four yards downfield, Stephon Gilmore and Clark finally pushed him out of bounds. Replays showed that, in the process of tossing him to the ground, Clark gripped Cook’s helmet opening under the ear hole.

Had officials seen it live, it almost certainly would have brought a 15-yard personal foul penalty and would have been the second committed by the Cowboys on that drive. Buffalo ended the possession with a touchdown anyway, extending their lead to 14-0 en route to a dominant 31-10 victory.

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Two Bills defenders also picked up hefty fines during the Week 15 meeting. Safety Taylor Rapp will be docked $21,855 for the first-quarter late hit on Dak Prescott that prompted guard Zack Martin to play enforcer, and linebacker Tyrel Dodson’s head-to-head shot on Prescott in the second quarter will cost him $11,167. Both hits were deemed unnecessary roughness; both were called as penalties during the game (although Rapp’s was offset by Martin’s retaliation).

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NFL changes stance on finger guns, fines Josey Jewell and Jonathon Cooper again

The NFL fined Josey Jewell for his finger guns celebration. He appealed and the fine was lifted. He then did it again and was fined again.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell and defensive lineman Zach Allen were both fined $13,659 for using finger guns as a celebration against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.

Jewell is nicknamed “The Outlaw” and he does not point his finger guns at opposing players, so it wasn’t surprising when he successfully appealed the fine and had it lifted. After the NFL rescinded the fine, Jewell assumed that meant he could continue using the celebration.

“The fine got taken away and I’m assuming — they didn’t say like, ‘Hey, it’s a warning,’ they said, ‘Hey you’re good to go, the fine got taken away,'” Jewell said during an interview with DNVR Broncos last week. “So I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to let ’em go now.’ So we should be good.”

Jewell’s assumption was wrong.

The linebacker was fined $13,659 by the NFL for using finger guns in celebrations against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Teammate Jonathon Cooper was also fined $5,362 for joining in on the celebration.

This is the play in question:

It’s curious that the NFL would lift Jewell’s fine and then punish him again for something the league seemingly signed off on. Jewell will undoubtedly appeal this latest fine as well. Perhaps the NFL can provide some clarity this time on if the celebration is or is not allowed.

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Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes fined for criticism of officials in Week 14

Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes fined for criticism of officials in Week 14

The controversy and commotion from last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills has had the Kansas City Chiefs in the headlines for reasons outside of winning. Head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes criticized the officiating, claiming that the line judge owed Kansas City a warning before calling offensive offsides on wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The penalty negated what would have been a go-ahead touchdown for the Chiefs late in the fourth quarter

According to Pro Football Talk, Reid and Mahomes were fined for their comments on the officiating at the end of the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 14.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Reid has been fined $100,000 for violating league rules prohibiting public criticism of game officials. At the same time, Mahomes has been hit with $50,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for abusive, threatening or insulting language directed at officials, plus violating league rules prohibiting public criticism of officials.

Mahomes and Reid have, in recent press conferences, apologized for their comments, with the reigning league MVP taking accountability for his actions and losing his cool on the sideline. Reid has preached the importance of maintaining good communication and working relationships with the officials as he seeks to move forward and prepare for the Chiefs’ stretch run heading into the postseason.

NFL rescinds Josey Jewell’s fine for finger guns celebration

“The Outlaw” is back — the NFL rescinded Josey Jewell’s fine for finger guns, so his signature celebration has returned.

Last month, the NFL fined Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell $13,659 for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. His offense: celebrating a sack with finger guns.

Jewell is nicknamed “The Outlaw,” so he celebrates big plays by pretending to fire pistols into the air. The league initially held a stance that “any act resembling shooting a gun” would result in a fine.

After appealing, however, Jewell had his fine rescinded (perhaps in part because his finger guns are never pointed at an individual).

“The finger guns — we’re good now, we’re good now,” Jewell said during an interview with DNVR Broncos on Tuesday. “We went in, we talked to the people with the NFL and they said it should be good now.

“The fine got taken away and I’m assuming — they didn’t say like, ‘Hey, it’s a warning,’ they said, ‘Hey you’re good to go, the fine got taken away.’ So I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to let ’em go now.’ So we should be good.”

The fine was rescinded before Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers and Jewell promptly used finger guns at least three times in Week 14. The Broncos even used a photo of the celebration on social media, a sure sign that the celebration is no longer frowned upon.

“The Outlaw” is back, and he’s bringing his finger guns.

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Cowboys Jake Ferguson, Markquese Bell fined for actions during Week 13 win over Seattle

From @ToddBrock24f7: Ferguson was involved in a minor scuffle after a first-down catch; Bell grabbed a facemask during a tackle. Both will be docked for it.

Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson did some jawing with Seahawks safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs during their Week 13 win. Now all three players will do a little paying up, too.

Adams and Diggs were fined $10,927 each by the league for unsportsmanlike conduct; Ferguson took a lesser hit for $5,812. None of them drew a penalty flag at the time.

The incident came in the third quarter of the Cowboys’ 41-35 win, following an 14-yard pass play that gave Dallas a new set of downs and put them on the Seattle 6. Ferguson popped up after the tackle and gave an emphatic first-down signal in Diggs’s face. Diggs shoved back, and Adams stalked after Ferguson to share a few words.

Ferguson returned, and the two came helmet-to-helmet, with Adams finally taking a quick swipe at the tight end’s facemask.

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Cowboys safety Markquese Bell was also fined for an instance of unnecessary roughness. He’ll be docked $4,861 for grabbing the facemask of Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet on a third-quarter play. That misstep also drew a 15-yard flag during the contest.

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Broncos safety Kareem Jackson flying to New York to meet with Roger Goodell

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson will travel to New York on Wednesday to meet with Roger Goodell, seeking clarity on the NFL’s inconsistencies.

Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has been fined four times, ejected twice and suspended twice for hits that the NFL has deemed illegal this season.

As a repeat offender, Jackson’s appeal to have his latest four-game suspension reduced was declined, but the safety has received support from teammates and even from Tom Brady, albeit indirectly.

Now going on Game 2 of his four-game punishment, Jackson is set to fly to New York on Wednesday to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Speaking at Pat Surtain’s charity event on Tuesday, Jackson said he is seeking clarity from the league on what he believes are inconsistent punishments.

“I feel like its a lot of gray area,” Jackson said. “For me, I see a lot of same things happening around the league that — you, know, guys aren’t going through what I’m going through. No flags, no fines, no suspensions.

“Not really sure why I’m being treated the way I’m being treated. I’m making regular football plays — nothing malicious in my opinion. But at the same time, [I want] some clarity, I just want to know why I’m the only person that’s going through what I’m going through.”

Jackson said he felt like he’s the poster child for whatever the NFL is attempting to “get across or prove.” The safety also criticized the NFL for not allowing suspended players in team facilities despite the league’s advocacy for mental health. Jackson said being cut off from the team and not having a support system is not the way the NFL should treat players if the league truly cares about players.

“A lot of things they’re doing and saying is contradictory in my opinion, so hopefully I can get some clarity.”

Jackson, 35, has been docked $838,333 worth of game checks via suspension this season in addition to $89,670 worth of fines (he did win some appeals on those fines, but it’s unclear how much the fines were reduced).

With a base salary of $2.515 million, Jackson’s $928,003 worth of (initial) fines and docked pay represents nearly 37% of his salary in 2023. After such significant punishments, it’s no surprise that Jackson has requested a meeting with Goodell.

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4 Saints defenders fined for a combined $44,000 after Vikings game

Four New Orleans Saints defenders were fined for a combined $44,000 after last week’s Minnesota Vikings game:

Four New Orleans Saints defenders were fined more than $44,000 after last week’s Minnesota Vikings game, the NFL announced, stemming from penalties issued during the Week 11 matchup.

Here’s who received fines from the league office in New York:

Two Colts players fined in Week 7

Michael Pittman Jr. and DeForest Buckner were slapped with fines from Week 7.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner were both fined for disciplinary reasons during the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Pittman Jr. was fined $10,927 for unsportsmanlike conduct when he threw up a peace sign at the end of his 75-yard touchdown reception to give the Colts the lead in the fourth quarter. He also was flagged on the play for taunting.

Buckner was fined $16,391 for a hit he laid on Browns quarterback P.J. Walker, which was flagged for roughing the passer.

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Broncos buzz: Injury and fine updates ahead of Week 8

Broncos placed WR Brandon Johnson on IR and elevated WR Tre’Quan Smith to game-day roster. Meanwhile, RB Javonte Williams was fined $13,433.

The Denver Broncos made a change at wide receiver ahead of their showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.

First, the Broncos placed wide receiver Brandon Johnson (hamstring) on injured reserve on Saturday. That rules Johnson out for at least the next four games. He will be eligible to return in Week 13.

To fill Johnson’s spot on the game-day roster against the Chiefs, Denver elevated wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith from the practice squad to the game-day-roster. Smith will revert back to the practice squad on Monday, but the Broncos have an open spot on the 53-man roster now, so Smith might be fully promoted to the active roster in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, on the fine front, Denver running back Javonte Williams was fined $13,433 for unnecessary roughness against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Williams was not penalized for the play, but the NFL deemed it fine-worthy after review.

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson appears to have avoided a fine for his illegal hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave in Week 7. The NFL presumably felt that Jackson’s two-game suspension (and loss of $279,444 in game checks) was punishment enough.

Sunday’s game against the Chiefs will air on CBS in select markets at 2:25 p.m. MT (view the TV map here).

3 Cowboys fined for Week 6 roughness; no word on punishments for pregame brawl

From @ToddBrock24f7: Several Cowboys defenders will take a financial hit for action during the win, but nothing yet for the fight that took place before kickoff.

The NFL has released its list of monetary fines imposed on players in Week 6, and while several Cowboys will be taking a financial hit, the one everybody expected to be there is nowhere to be found.

Defensive end Dorance Armstrong, safety Jayron Kearse, and safety Markquese Bell were all fined for unnecessary roughness during the team’s 20-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Armstrong and Kearse will each be docked $21,855; Bell will owe $4,681.

The second-quarter hit for which Kearse was fined, a helmet-to-helmet tackle of L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert, additionally drew a 15-yard penalty flag during the game.

Bell’s fine comes as a result of helmet-to-helmet contact, too, made during a solo tackle of running back Austin Ekeler on a third-and-goal play in the fourth quarter, but it did not warrant a flag at the time.

Armstrong’s roughness is given as occurring on a second-quarter play, but replays do not make immediately clear what Armstrong did to incur the fine; he was not flagged during the Week 6 win.

But defensive end Dante Fowler is not listed at all for his involvement in the pregame brawl that took place prior to kickoff.

Cameras spotted Fowler striking Ekeler, fully knocking his helmet off his head as players from the two teams met and exchange heated words near midfield during warmups.

Defensive tackle Mazi Smith and defensive end Sam Williams were also among the Cowboys in the middle of the action; none appears on the league’s list of fined players, nor do any Chargers.

While the altercation happened before the start of the game, all players’ actions would still be subject to the league’s conduct policies. (For what it’s worth, no one who was a part of a similar pregame fight between the Browns and 49ers on Sunday appears on the list of fined players either.)

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It is not known if any fines- or other punishment- for the pregame fight will be announced by the league at a later time or otherwise revealed to the public.

All fines are always subject to an appeal by the player. Fines are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation.

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