While C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans eliminated the Los Angeles Chargers from contention for the AFC West, they also punched their own ticket to the postseason.
However, one play from the contest could see the NFL office double back.
Stroud was on the right side of it, and he emerged unscathed. Still, the NFL’s decision on the play stands out, particularly in light of one of its previous rulings on a hit that Stroud took earlier this season.
Chargers’ Daiyan Henley Facing Punishment Over Hit on C.J. Stroud in Texans Game
GettyDaiyan Henley #0 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during training camp.
During the fourth quarter of the Texans’ win over the Chargers, Stroud attempted a pass to rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel that fell incomplete. However, Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley drew a penalty on the play.
Officials flagged Henley for “roughing the passer,” citing “body weight” and giving the Texans 15 yards and an automatic first down on a would-be three-and-out in a one-score game.
The Texans, who led 17-10 at the time, ultimately punted on the drive.
However, Henley is likely to hear from the NFL after the incident, with roughing the passer among the many infractions that the league not only penalizes players for in-game, but also levies fines for.
Per the NFL’s Accountability: Fines & Appeals section, roughing the passer calls can incur fines up to $17,389 on first offenses and up to $23,186 for second offenses.
This would mark Henley’s first fine in his two-plus-season career.
The NFL often uses discretion on fine amounts and whether or not to even dock players after the fact. Notably, Stroud did not get the benefit of a flag earlier in the season against the Denver Broncos on a play that resulted in him suffering a concussion and missing three games.
The NFL did not issue any fines, either, deeming, as in-game officials did, that Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine hit the scrambling Stroud cleanly, despite the QB’s slide.
Moreover, some of Stroud’s Texans teammates are in situations similar to Henley’s.
Texans’ Denico Autry Facing NFL Discipline
GettyDenico Autry #96 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stroud was on the receiving end of a questionable play, but Texans defensive tackle Denico Autry committed one.
During the second quarter of the contest, Autry sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on first down. However, officials flagged Autry for “tripping,” taking the sack off the board, and giving Herbert and the Chargers a fresh set of downs to work with.
Fortunately for Autry, he got to Herbert on the next play for a strip sack.
However, he too is likely to hear from the league, with tripping also on the NFL’s list of fineable offenses.
Autry could face a fine of up to $12,172, per the NFL’s guidelines, since this would be his first offense this season. If he is fined and commits the penalty again, the fine could reach as much as $17,968.
Dalton Schultz Sparks Commentary
GettyDalton Schultz #86 of the Houston Texans runs after a reception against the Minnesota Vikings.
Along with the plays involving Autry and Stroud, the Texans could also hear from the NFL about one involving tight end Dalton Schultz. Schultz drew an unnecessary roughness penalty for pushing Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart during the second quarter,
The call backed the Texans up on the ensuing third-down play.
However, the broadcast noted in real-time how replay should be allowed to review such incidents.
“I don’t understand. If you use replay assist these days, why can’t they buzz in and basically say, ‘Hey, that was a retaliation to something’?” NFL Network’s Rich Eisen said. “I guess that’s for a competition committee conversation during the spring near you.”
Tart ran up and hit Schultz in the head in an attempt to knock the ball loose.
The play was over, though, and the Texans’ playmaker took exception to the contact, which led to the flag.
In the end, Stroud and the Texans got the significant victory. But they will look to play even cleaner moving forward, lest they risk another costly infraction that ends up costing them during the playoffs.
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