The Los Angeles Rams are sorting through fallout from their loss to the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16, but defensive back Jaylen McCollough was dealt a blow from even further back.
McCullough has been pressed into a starting role due to various injuries on the back end for the Rams, and he has held up admirably.
One decision, however, came back to bite him.
Jaylen McCollough Fined After Rams Game
GettyJaylen McCollough #2 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
McCollough has started four games for the Rams, but he has appeared in all 15 contests. He has 41 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 2.0 sacks this season.
However, he is a little lighter in the pocket after hearing from the NFL.
According to the NFL’s Gameday Accountability site on December 20, McCollough received a $5,361 for “unnecessary roughness” over what the league deemed was illegal “use of the helmet.”
The league determined that McCollough grabbed a face mask during a run by Jahmyr Gibbs during the Rams’ Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions.
Officials did not throw a flag on the play for the infraction.
Instead, the run was called back due to a hold on Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. The Lions ultimately punted on the drive, and the Rams won the game. McCollough also received less than what the NFL lists as the minimum for face mask penalties.
First-time offenses carry fines up to $11,593, per the NFL, while second-time offenses can reach $17,389. McCollough, 25, is on a three-year, $2.8 million contract with the Rams.
No other fines were levied from this game.
The league has already taken action against Seahawks edge defender Derick Hall, suspending him for one game after he stepped on Rams right guard Kevin Dotson. Seahawks cornerback Ty Okada could also hear from the league after drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness.
However, that does not mean the league could not come back and penalize a Rams or Seahawks player for an infraction that went uncalled during the game.
McCollough’s is the eighth fine levied against a Rams player this season, per Spotrac.
He joins, most recently, Braden Fiske, as well as Byron Young, Cobie Durant, Davis Allen, Kamren Kinchens, Quentin Lake, and Tyler Higbee. The Rams had at least one player fined in Weeks 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, and, thanks to McCollough, 15.
Jaylen McCollough a Versatile Playmaker
GettyJaylen McCollough #2 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles.
McCollough is in his second season with the Rams. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2024.
McCollough logged 4 interceptions to go with 43 total stops in 2024, providing versatility to go with his production. That has continued this season, with the Rams calling on him more following the injury to Lake.
He has made the most of his opportunities, wherever and whenever they have come.
“McCollough has been a Swiss-Army knife for the Rams this season,” TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson wrote in September.
“McCollough established himself as a playmaker his rookie season sharing with draft classmate Kam Kinchens for the team lead in interceptions with four (including one returned for a touchdown).”
Up next, McCollough and the Rams face the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football.”
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