The NFL’s first accountability report of the season is out, and 20 players were fined for Week 1 violations as teams head into the second week of games.
The list spans a little bit of everything the league watches for: unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, quarterback hits and a chop block. It also includes a few familiar names, with Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs among the players hit with penalties.
Diggs was fined $14,926 for illegal celebrations and vulgar acts after he celebrated his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles by jumping onto the goalpost. He finished the opener with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, and later acknowledged the penalty, saying he takes accountability for the incident.
A handful of other players were fined for taunting. Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker was docked $5,620, while Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon were each fined $11,941.
The biggest fine on the Week 1 list went to Gibbs, who was hit with a $23,027 penalty for unnecessary roughness involving use of the helmet. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was also fined $20,033 for using his helmet. Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson was fined $17,911 for a hip-drop tackle.
Other unnecessary-roughness fines went to Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin ($9,425), Cowboys defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku ($11,941), Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown ($9,527), Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton ($11,941), Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams ($7,087), Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman ($11,111), 49ers tight end Jake Tonges ($9,266) and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley ($12,537).
The league also handed out several quarterback-related fines. Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown was fined $17,911 for a late hit on a quarterback, and Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness received the same amount for a blow to the head or neck of a quarterback. Rams defensive end Tyler Davis was fined $6,225 for a blow to the head or neck of a quarterback, while Houston Texans defensive lineman Mario Edwards was fined $8,263 for contact in the knee area or below a passer.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith was fined $6,750 for a chop block, the only fine of that type on the list.
In all, the NFL recorded 20 fines from 2,568 Week 1 plays as the league’s accountability report lays out each player, team, violation and fine before Week 2.
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