Buffalo Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht made his long-awaited debut on Sunday, taking the field for the first time after a six-game suspension and helping the team stifle the Carolina Panthers en route to a blowout victory.
But Hoecht’s day may have ended on a down note, taking a late penalty that could lead to some further discipline from the NFL in the coming week.
Michael Hoecht in Line for NFL Fine
Hoecht was part of a strong defensive effort in the 40-9 win, holding the Panthers to just three points before giving up a garbage-time touchdown. Hoecht was part of an aggressive effort that hounded quarterback Andy Dalton, with the defensive end racking up 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and three total tackles.
The Bills pulled many of their starters at the start of the fourth quarter including Josh Allen and James Cook, burning clock with Mitch Trubisky before punting to the Panthers late in the game. Hoecht was called for unnecessary roughness on Carolina’s first play of their final drive, sparking a skirmish after the play.
Hoecht could be in line to face NFL punishment for the play. The league reviews all plays — whether a penalty is called or not — and regularly hands out fines for unnecessary roughness plays.
Hoecht’s penalty appeared to be a late hit. Because he was fined $11,255 for a late hit on Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in last year’s NFL playoffs while a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Hoecht could face a fine of $17,389 as a second-time offender for this week’s late hit.
Hoecht will have a few days before learning his fate, as the NFL will announce all Week 8 fines on Saturday.
Michael Hoecht Earns Praise for Strong Performance in Win
Though the late penalty may have put a damper on his day, Hoecht has largely earned praise for his strong performance in the win. Reporter Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com called him a “nightmare” for the Panthers, keeping pressure on Dalton throughout the game and forcing their offense into three turnovers.
“Michael Hoecht has been precisely what the doctor ordered for this Bills defense,” Parrino shared in a post on X. “He’s been a nightmare for the Panthers o-line on the edge and on interior on passing downs. 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, & forced fumble in Bills debut.”
Hoecht was not the only returning player for the Bills on Sunday. Fellow free agent acquisition Larry Ogunjobi also returned from a six-game suspension, adding more reinforcement for the defensive line.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team had known about Hoecht’s upcoming suspension when he was signed, but only learned from the league that Ogunjobi would be fined after he was signed.
Hoecht took responsibility for his failed drug test, saying he worked with a trainer for years and took many supplements but failed to properly check if everything he was taking was legal.
âThis is somebody I thought I could trust, and thatâs where this ultimately becomes my responsibility because as our relationship grew I stopped being vigilant,â Hoecht told reporters shortly after his signing this offseason.
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