The Seahawks left Denver with another painful loss, and the league’s latest discipline report added a little extra frustration for Seattle’s side.
Safety Ty Okada was fined twice for plays that came less than a minute apart in the first quarter. The first cost him $6,361 for illegal use of helmet when he tackled Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The second was another $6,361 fine, this time for what the league ruled was a tripping attempt on Broncos running back RJ Harvey. No penalty was called on either play in real time.
Seattle defensive end Mike Morris was also hit with a fine, getting docked $6,808 for lowering his helmet during a clean-up tackle on Troy Franklin.
Lowering the helmet is not among the violations the league has identified as suspension-worthy if it happens three times in a season.
The Broncos were not left out of the fine report, either. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton hit Sam Darnold on a late rush.
Darnold was slow to get up after the play, which did not draw a roughing the passer call, but did lead to a $23,882 fine for illegal helmet use. The league rarely flags those plays in game, though this one could have been considered roughing the passer at the time.
All of the fines can be appealed. If a fine is upheld, the player loses the money from the next game check. If an appeal succeeds, the player gets notice that the fine was rescinded.
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What makes this a little more intriguing is the contract side of it. Wilson, Holani and Charbonnet are all on expiring deals, which gives Seattle some flexibility if it wants to pursue another runner, whether that means a splashier target or simply more depth. Charbonnets recovery from ACL surgery only adds another layer to the discussion, because the Seahawks still have to weigh what he can be coming off the injury against what the roster might need in the short term. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Got A Painful Kenneth Walker Reminder From Mike Macdonald
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For Seattle, the reminder stings a little because Walker was not kept on the franchise tag earlier this year before landing a three-year deal with Kansas City. Macdonalds comments arrived just as the Chiefs are set to face the Seahawks, adding a little extra weight to a matchup that already carries an obvious layer of familiarity and second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Put Perfect Start On The Line Against Walkers Former Team
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The Seahawks have still had a dependable presence in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose value has only grown as the offense works through its issues. Still, this is the kind of game that can sharpen the questions around Seattles early-season identity, with the Chiefs carrying momentum and a back who knows exactly what his former team is trying to do on the other side. [Read more 🡒]