The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant $12,172 for his hit on Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner during the third quarter of the Ramsâ 21-19 win in Week 11. The play came on a short completion from Sam Darnold to Barner on the right side for five yards, and now itâs costing Durant a five-figure chunk of his game check.
NFL Announces Punishment for Rams CB in Seahawks Showdown
Each week, the league releases a list of fines from the previous slate of games, and Durantâs name showed up tied to his third-quarter hit on Barner in the Rams-Seahawks matchup at SoFi Stadium on November 16. The game was already physical, with Los Angelesâ secondary flying around and picking off Darnold four times in a contest that decided first place in the NFC West.
On the play in question, Darnold dumped the ball off to Barner on the right side for a short gain before Durant came in to finish the tackle. That third-quarter throw was one of several quick passes to Barner, who ended the afternoon with 10 catches for 70 yards, a career-best reception total for the second-year tight end. It also prompted Barner to defend his quarterback from public scrutiny.
The $12,172 figure lines up with the standard fine the NFL has used this season for lower-tier unnecessary roughness-type violations, as seen with other players who have been flagged or disciplined for hits or contact deemed over the line. The league did not announce any additional discipline for Durant, so this is strictly a financial punishment; he remains eligible to play in Week 12 when the Rams host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.
Under league rules, players who are fined are notified of the violation and have the right to appeal. Appeals are heard by jointly appointed officers, including former NFL players such as Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster and Jordy Nelson, and their decisions are final. Durant could choose to challenge the ruling, but for now the fine stands as part of a chippy divisional game that already carried plenty of drama.
The NFL also notes that fine money goes to causes tied to player health and wellness, including the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation, rather than back to the franchises.
What It Means for Cobie Durant, AJ Barner & the NFC West Race
On the field, the fine doesnât change anything about the standings, but it adds another layer to whatâs quickly becoming one of the leagueâs most intense divisional rivalries.
Durant was already a key figure in the Ramsâ win, coming up with an interception of Darnold as part of a four-pick day for the Los Angeles defense. The Rams improved to 8-2 and grabbed sole possession of first place in the NFC West, extending their winning streak to five games.
For Seattle, Barnerâs involvement was one of the few consistent bright spots in an otherwise brutal offensive afternoon. Darnold threw four interceptions but leaned heavily on Barner underneath, targeting him 11 times as the Seahawks tried to claw back from an early deficit. Barnerâs usage has spiked, and his big day against the Rams has him trending up heading into Seattleâs Week 12 road game against the Tennessee Titans.
From a big-picture standpoint, the fine underscores how thin the margins are in this matchup. Durant walked away with both a huge takeaway and a postgame bill from the league office. Barner, meanwhile, took plenty of hits over the middle but emerged as one of Darnoldâs most reliable targets in a game that could loom large in playoff tiebreakers.
Stats, Schedule & Context for Rams & Seahawks
- Final score: Rams 21, Seahawks 19 (Week 11 at SoFi Stadium).
- Team records after the game: Rams 8-2, Seahawks 7-3, with Los Angeles taking over first place in the NFC West.
- Sam Darnoldâs line: 279 passing yards with four interceptions, as turnovers again became the storyline against Sean McVayâs team.
- AJ Barnerâs line: 10 receptions, 70 yards, plus two carries for one yard, a major volume day for the tight end.
- Key Rams defensive notes: Four total interceptions, including two by Kamren Kinchens and one each by Cobie Durant and Darious Williams.
- Whatâs next:
- Rams: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12.
- Seahawks: Road game at the Tennessee Titans on November 23.
Durantâs fine will be a footnote compared to the turnover fest and missed game-winning kick, but for Seahawks and Rams fans dissecting every angle of this NFC West showdown, itâs one more talking point, and one more sign of just how physical this rivalry has become.
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