The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks put on a show on âThursday Night Football in Week 16, which shook up the NFC and NFC West standings. However, the fallout could prove costly for a couple of players in particular.
Rams star Puka Nacua and Seahawks defensive back Ty Okada can both expect hear from the league in the coming week.
One for an infraction during the game, and the other crossed the line afterward.
Seahawksâ Ty Okada Could Draw Fine Over Hit on Ramsâ Terrance Ferguson
GettyTerrance Ferguson #18 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Houston Texans.
During a fourth-quarter drive with the game tied, Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson caught a pass from Matthew Stafford, putting LA on the Seahawksâ 46-yard line.
Okada, filling in due to injuries in the Seahawksâ secondary, delivered a blow to the rookie second-round pick. Officials flagged Okada for âunnecessary roughness,â which gave the Rams 15 yards. The broadcast noted that it was a hit on a defenseless player.
That will almost certainly garner additional attention from the NFL for Okada.
According to Section 2 (Personal Fouls), Article 9 (Players in Defenseless Posture) of the NFL rulebook, âIt is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. 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.â
Fines for hits on defenseless players, which are defined in various ways, begin at $17,389 for first offenses and $23,186 for second offenses, per the NFL.
Ferguson was no worse for wear, finishing with three receptions for 30 yards and 1 touchdown in the Ramsâ loss. Unfortunately for LA, they are arguably even more unlikely to escape the NFLâs watchful eye.
NFL to Investigate Puka Nacua After Comments
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during warm-ups before facing the Detroit Lions.
Nacua has drawn plenty of attention to himself in recent days, including with comments about the NFLâs officiating before the Rams faced the Seahawks.
Nacua doubled down after the loss in a since-deleted post on X, later citing âfrustration.â
There was already a growing expectation that the league would look into Nacuaâs comments, made during an eventful live stream with social media personality Adin Ross. After he reiterated the sentiments, the latest word is that they certainly will look into the matter.
âRams WR Puka Nacua’s comments criticizing officials will be reviewed by the NFL for a potential fine, source tells @NFLonCBS,â CBS Sportsâ Jonathan Jones reported on X on December 19. âThe league has fined players in the past â Patrick Mahomes $50K, for example â for criticizing officials.â
Rams head coach Sean McVay decried Nacuaâs comments about the officials and a promised antisemitic TD celebration that wasnât, but defended the receiverâs character.
However, that will have no bearing on what the NFL decides.
McVay spent much of his postgame press conference discussing Nacua, not the game. The loss to the Seahawks sullied big nights from Ferguson and Nacua, and left McVay visibly frustrated over the Rams blowing a 16-point lead and the situations off the field.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams, Seahawks Players Facing Costly Punishments After ‘Thursday Night Football’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.