The NFL has a problem with recognizing what illegal use of the helmet is, and it continued in Week 8 when seven players were fined for those helmet infractions when they were not penalized in the game.
Through eight weeks, there have been 46 fines for use of the helmet and only 10 were flagged on the field.
Two of the seven from Week 8 were by Dallas Cowboys players in last Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals on plays that had a significant impact.
The first occurred on a play that began with 21 seconds remaining in the first half. Facing second-and-10 from their own 36-yard line, then-quarterback Jacoby Brissett connected with running back Bam Knight on a play that resulted in a first down.
However, Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown
made contact with his helmet on Knight’s head, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Cowboys defensive lineman L.T. Overton. Dallas took over at the Arizona 47-yard line, but after a 4-yard run, kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a 61-yard field-goal attempt to end the half with Dallas leading 14-3.
Knight suffered a concussion and will be inactive for Sunday’s game in Seattle against the Seahawks. His unavailability and Jeremiyah Love being placed on injured reserve will result in Evan Hull being active Sunday along with Jerome Ford, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday.
The other helmet hit actually resulted in a concussion for the perpetrator, Cowboys safety P.J. Locke, who was fined $19,444. The play began with 4:34 in overtime with the Cardinals having a first down at the Dallas 31-yard line. Tyler Allgeier gained three yards and Locke was in on the tackle that knocked himself out of the game.
After two more plays, kicker Chad Ryland hit the game-winning field goal, but had a penalty been called on Locke’s hit, the ball would have moved to the 14, setting up an easier attempt.
Locke did not practice on Wednesday for the Cowboys, but moved to limited on Thursday, practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play at Indianapolis Sunday.
There were two other fines in the game, one for each team, and each was flagged on the field.
Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier was fined $8,972 for his late hit on Cowboys tackle Tyler Guyton with 8:18 to play in regulation. The Cardinals had limited a pass play from quarterback Dak Prescott to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to two yards on third-and-6 at the Dallas 46-yard line. A first down was the result of the penalty and the Cowboys eventually scored on a 35-yard field goal to take a 27-17 lead.
The other fine on Cowboys defensive lineman Rashan Gary was for $17,911 on a fourth-quarter play that helped the Cardinals. After a third-and-10 incomplete pass from the Dallas 29-yard line, Gary hit quarterback Gardner Minshew II in the head. The 15-yard penalty moved the ball to the 14-yard line and on the next play Minshew connected with tight end Trey McBride for a touchdown, which cut the Dallas lead to 27-24 with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 3 players fined in Cardinals' win over Cowboys
