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Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith was fined for a play he was not even flagged for. Smith was fined $87,418 for unnecessary roughness on the first play of last Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, according to the league’s accountability website.
The fine came from a play where Smith appeared to lead with his helmet while blocking Detroit running back Zonovan Knight, knocking Knight to the ground. The hit, which came on a 10-yard kick return by the Falcons’ Mike Hughes, did not result in an in-game penalty.
Messages left with the NFL and Smith’s agent about the fine were not immediately returned to ESPN. It was one of two fines for Atlanta – and five overall – in the Falcons-Lions game.
Atlanta linebacker Kaden Elliss was fined $16,391 for unnecessary roughness in the third quarter of the Falcons-Lions game, a play where he tackled Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Elliss was not flagged on the play.
Detroit linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $13,922 for unnecessary roughness for an unflagged hit on Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson on the Falcons’ first play from scrimmage. Lions’ rookie defensive back Brian Branch was fined twice – $8,103 for a horsecollar tackle on Robinson he was flagged for in the third quarter and another $8,103 for an unnecessary roughness call for a flagged hit on Robinson in the fourth quarter where he knocked off Robinson’s helmet.
In all, the game racked up $133,937 in fines for players, according to the league’s accountability website.