NFL fines Deshaun Watson and Quinshon Judkins over Browns touchdown celebration

The NFL has fined Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson $14,926 and running back Quinshon Judkins $14,397 for unsportsmanlike conduct during Cleveland’s Week 4 win over Pittsburgh, Tom Pelissero reported on Saturday, October 10.

The penalties cover illegal celebrations and vulgar acts, and they land a day before the 3–1 Browns visit the Jets. Pelissero added that the gesture behind the fines, which a person familiar with the decision described as a mock “smoking” motion after Judkins scored, was not clearly visible on the television broadcast.

The NFL fined Browns QB Deshaun Watson $14,926 and RB Quinshon Judkins $14,397 for unsportsmanlike conduct (illegal celebrations and vulgar acts).

Nothing was obvious on the TV broadcast, but source said it was a "smoking" gesture after Judkins' TD last week.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2026

The Browns’ celebration

Judkins’ score came with 8:28 left in the second quarter of the Browns’ 27–24 victory over the Steelers on Thursday, October 1. His two-yard run put Cleveland ahead 14–7, and Watson followed later in the quarter with a two-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. as the Browns built a 21–10 lead by halftime. Andre Szmyt won the game with a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

Neither player drew a flag for the celebration during the game. The league reviews every game afterward, and fines for conduct missed by officials are routine. Watson and Judkins can appeal.

Other Week 4 discipline

A chop block cost New England running back TreVeyon Henderson $12,537, Mike Reiss reported. The penalty came in the Patriots’ 29–26 win at Buffalo. The foul came with 55 seconds left on the play that effectively ended the game: a 12-yard catch-and-run by tight end Hunter Henry that gave New England a first down.

Jacksonville’s Jarrian Jones was fined $8,201 for a facemask on Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Garafolo reported. Chase was diagnosed with a concussion after the play during the Jaguars’ 22–17 win in Cincinnati and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Miami while he remains in the protocol.

The #Jaguars’ Jarrian Jones was fined $8,201 for this facemask on Ja’Marr Chase that resulted in his concussion. pic.twitter.com/JF2VmmfMeO

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 10, 2026

One notable play did not produce a fine. Garafolo reported that Raiders safety Treydan Stukes was not disciplined for the tackle that left Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton with a severe ankle injury in Kansas City’s 30–27 win in Las Vegas. The league office determined that the play did not meet the definition of a hip-drop tackle, which the NFL banned before the 2024 season. Thornton, who caught both of Patrick Mahomes’ touchdown passes that day, needs surgery.

What comes next

The Browns play at the New York Jets on Sunday, October 11, at 1:00 p.m. EDT at MetLife Stadium. The Patriots host the Raiders at the same time at Gillette Stadium, the Bengals visit Miami at 1:00 p.m., and the Jaguars face Philadelphia in London at 9:30 a.m. EDT.