New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo was the only player among eight fined for illegal use of the helmet in Week 7 who also drew an on-field penalty.
During the Giants’ 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans, Skattebo lowered his helmet while running through safety M.J. Stewart in the first quarter. The contact produced a 15-yard personal foul that wiped out a seven-yard gain with New York leading 7-3.
The NFL later fined him $7,073, his second such fine of the season after an identical amount for a similar run against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
The other seven players fined without flags included Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton ($47,662, his second consecutive week), Broncos safety Brandon Jones ($23,882), Lions safety Brian Branch
($23,882), Bears cornerback Clark Phillips ($11,550), Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt ($7,791), 49ers running back Jordan James ($6,194) and Steelers receiver Brandon Smith ($4,916).
Officials rarely flag the rule in real time, preferring postgame fines.
Head coach John Harbaugh confronted officials and sought clarity from the league. He noted that Skattebo runs low by design to protect the football and his body, making it physically impossible to keep his head up, and that the back was not using his helmet as a weapon.
Similar plays are typically handled with fines rather than live penalties, and the team has not received further explanation.
Skattebo finished with a career-high 124 rushing yards and a touchdown. He said the league promotes his physical style in highlights yet penalizes him for it, and indicated he would continue running the way he wants and play for free if the flags and fines continue.
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce called the enforcement the "dumbest thing in the world," arguing the runner should be allowed to lower his shoulder and that the defender bears responsibility for taking on contact high.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Only Giants' Cam Skattebo flagged among eight Week 7 helmet-use fines
