The NFL could be reaching out following the Houston Texans’ 16-13 win over the Tennessee Titans this coming week. However, the league’s interest is likely to be on Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
What is unclear is whether the league will side with Simmons or the in-game referees, who flagged the veteran defender during the contest.
Simmons was highly displeased with the call and could be even more disappointed this week.
Titans’ Jeffery Simmons Rips Penalty in Texans Game
GettyJeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans reacts against the Houston Texans.
During the first quarter, on a fourth-and-2, Texans kicker Matthew Wright attempted a field goal for a 3-0 lead. Wright’s kick clanged off the upright. However, an unnecessary roughness call against Simmons for making contact with Texans long snapper Alex Brinkman negated the play.
The Texans turned the ball over on downs a handful of plays later.
Simmons, however, was still hot after the game. Not only over the Titans’ losing ways continuing, but also because of the call against him, despite the Texans not capitalizing.
“I think it’s bullcrap,” Simmons told reporters on November 16. “I’m doing exactly what Bone [special teams coordinator John Fassel] tells me to do. I hit the snapper’s shoulder. We can hit the snapper’s shoulder. I’m sure we’ll see it again. But Bone saw it on the sideline on the iPad. I never touched his head. I’m sure the ref standing behind me was a little nervous. Because I blew him up, and they missed the kick. So, we’ll see it. Like I said, I never touched his head. So, we’ll just move on from that.”
Simmons, a three-time Pro Bowler, was still fired up afterward. He called out his own team for not playing “complementary football.” The Titans are now 1-9, and they have lost both matchups against the Texans. Simmons and the Titans got routed, 26-0, in the first encounter.
NFL Set Baselines for Fines
GettyJeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Whether or not Simmons will hear from the league about his infraction against the Texans is unclear, but he faces a significant fine if they side with the officials.
There is no official “unneccessary roughness” category in the “Fines & Appeals” section of the NFL’s Football Operations portal. That is the section that explains how much players can expect to be fined, should they commit an infraction.
However, there has been a precedent set for a play just like Simmons committed.
The league fined then-Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery $15,167 for hitting Arizona Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer during the 2024 season.
Simmons finished the loss to the Texans with 3 total tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 hit on the quarterback, and 1 stop for loss. Most importantly, though, Simmons and the Titans emerged from the contest with another loss, thanks to the Texans.
NFL Rule on Contact With Defensless Players
Getty Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans looks on against the Minnesota Vikings
The NFL lays out in clear terms that it is on the defender to act accordingly when encountering a defenseless player, as Brinkman was for the Texans, while Simmons and the Titans attempted to block Wright’s kick.
“It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture,” reads Section 2 Article 9 of the Football Operations rules guide. “A player who initiates contact against a defenseless opponent is responsible for avoiding an illegal act. A standard of strict liability applies for any contact against an opponent, even if his body position is in motion, and irrespective of any acts by him, such as ducking his head or curling up his body in anticipation of contact.”
The league also defines clearly what a defenseless player is.
As it pertains to Brinkman, the final item (12) lists “The offensive player who attempts a snap during any scrimmage kick. He is no longer a defenseless player after he has had an opportunity to defend himself or moves downfield” as one such situation.
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