The Denver Broncos lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, and there could be more bad news on the way for Malcolm Roach.
Denver entered this contest as the favorite, boasting a better record and having a typically strong home-field advantage. They exited it heading for a week of self-reflection and, they hope, improvement.
Roach, though, could receive an unfortunate reminder of the loss later in the week.
Malcolm Roach Could Get Fined After Broncos’ Loss
GettyMalcolm Roach #97 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
During the third quarter of the Broncos’ loss to the Jaguars, Roach hit Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he released the ball on a pass attempt. The pass was incomplete, but officials flagged Roach for “roughing the passer.”
Specifically, the referees cited “body weight” as Roach’s infraction, advancing the Jaguars 15 yards on a drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Lawrence.
The NFL levies fines up to $17,389 on first offenses. Fines for second offenses are up to $23,1876.
According to Rule 12, Section 2, Article 11, item b of the NFL rulebook, “A rushing defender is prohibited from committing such intimidating and punishing acts as ‘stuffing’ a passer into the ground or unnecessarily wrestling or driving him down after the passer has thrown the ball,” including in instances where they reach the QB in time.
“When tackling a passer who is in a defenseless posture (e.g., during or just after throwing a pass), a defensive player must not unnecessarily or violently throw him down or land on top of him with all or most of the defender’s weight. Instead, the defensive player must strive to wrap up the passer with the defensive player’s arms and not land on the passer with all or most of his body weight.”
Roach, the Broncos’ self-proclaimed “sixth man,” is signed through the 2028 season and will begin a three-year, $27.8 million contract extension next season. If the NFL fines Roach, it would mark the fifth fine for a Broncos player this season, per Spotrac.
P.J. Locke Could Hear From League
GettyP.J. Locke #6 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Roach’s teammate, Broncos safety P.J. Locke, could also be docked by the NFL after his infraction against the Jaguars.
Like Roach, Locke’s incident also involved Lawrence.
On a third-and-10 during the first quarter, Locke came flying off the edge at the snap and made a beeline for Lawrence. He got home. Unfortunately for Locke, officials had blown the play dead due to a false start on Jaguars tight end Quintin Morris.
Not only did the Broncos not benefit from Morris’ infraction, but the Jaguars moved another 15 yards due to “unnecessary roughness” on Locke.”
Locke admitted postgame that he remained unclear on why officials flagged him.
“I don’t know. I can’t tell you what happened on the play,” Locke told reporters in the Broncos’ locker room after the game. “All I know is, I was in full pursuit. He was still dropping back. I thought I had a sack-fumble, honestly.
The NFL does not have a set fine for “unnecessary roughness,” which is a broad term used to describe a multitude of different violations. They do have one for a “hit on a defenseless player,” which officials framed Lawrence as.
Fines for such hits can reach $17,389 on first offenses and $23,186 on second offenses, per the NFL’s Fines & Accountability portal.
Antonio Johnson Hit on Lil’Jordan Humphrey on Watchlist
GettyAntonio Johnson #26 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Jaguars could hear from the NFL, just like Roach and Locke from the Broncos, with safety Antonio Johnson the player to watch.
Johnson incurred an unnecessary roughness penalty during the third quarter of the game before Roach did, delivering a big blow to Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Like Locke, Johnson could face a fine for hitting a “defenseless player.”
The Broncos saw rookie wideout Pat Bryant injured on a hit that could also qualify.
Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown drew a flag on that initially. But officials picked it up, claiming the hit was clean, and not to the head or neck area.
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