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WEEK 5
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NFL issues season-high 10 player-safety fines from Week 4, led by three $17,911 penalties

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Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and Broncos guard Ben Powers drew the largest fines, and five players were docked for hip-drop tackles.

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WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished
Trenton Simpson in a 2023 archive photograph.
Trenton Simpson in 2023 (archive photo). Photo: Tennessee Titans / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.

The NFL fined 10 players for major player-safety fouls committed in Week 4, the most in any week so far this season, with the three biggest penalties set at $17,911 each.

The fines matter beyond the money. Fouls in these categories count toward the league’s escalation system, and a third fine in the same category brings an automatic one-game suspension. Every player can appeal.

The full list

Hip-drop tackles accounted for half of the list, a sign the league is still enforcing the ban it introduced two years ago:

  • Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jets safety: $17,911 (hip-drop tackle)
  • Jack Campbell, Lions linebacker: $15,930 (hip-drop tackle)
  • Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks safety: $14,648 (hip-drop tackle)
  • Darrell Jackson, Jets defensive end: $6,683 (hip-drop tackle)
  • Adin Huntington, Browns defensive tackle: $5,620 (hip-drop tackle)
  • Trenton Simpson, Ravens linebacker: $17,911 (horse-collar tackle)
  • Ben Powers, Broncos offensive lineman: $17,911 (blindside block)
  • Kamari Lassiter, Texans cornerback: $13,639 (hit on a defenseless player)
  • Nate Landman, Rams linebacker: $11,111 (hit on a defenseless player)
  • Reddy Steward, Cowboys cornerback: $5,583 (hit on a defenseless player)

Tom Pelissero first reported the list on Saturday, October 10.

The play that cost Cincinnati Ja’Marr Chase

Separately, Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones was fined $8,201 for grabbing the facemask of Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Chase was hit again on the same play and left the game with a concussion. Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller, who made that second contact while Chase was already down and drew no flag, was not fined. Chase remains in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Miami.

The same game produced more discipline. Jaguars edge rusher Travon Walker was fined $11,941 for taunting, and Bengals defensive ends Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy were each fined $11,941 for facemask penalties.

Mike Garafolo also reported that Raiders safety Treydan Stukes was not fined for the tackle that left Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton with a severe ankle injury.

What comes next

Week 5 continues Sunday, October 11, and the league reviews every game for possible discipline in the days that follow. Earlier on Saturday, the league also fined Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Quinshon Judkins for a touchdown celebration, which we covered here.

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