DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are riding high after getting their season back on track. However, Texans starting defensive tackle Tommy Togiai just received an unfortunate notice from the NFL offices in New York.
Togiai has been one of the Texans’ better stories this season. He stepped into a role they did not plan on him filling and had played well.
However, the league has come down on him for breaking the rules.
Texans DT Tommy Togiai Fined
GettyTommy Togiai #72 of the Houston Texans reacts after a tackle against the Tennessee Titans.
According to the NFL’s Gameday Accountability portal on December 20, Togiai received a $9,625 fine for “unnecessary roughness” after a “facemask” on running back Michael Carter during the first quarter of the Texans’ win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16.
Togiai, 26, is the seventh Texans player to receive a fine this season. This is the eighth fine levied against the team this season, per Spotrac.
He got off lightly.
According to the NFL’s Accountability: Fines & Appeals hub, the NFL typically docks players $11,593 for first offenses and $17,389 on second offenses. Togiai’s fine was just over half of the maximum, and still below the minimum, as the league often uses discretion when fining players.
Togiai is enjoying a breakout season with the Texans. He has started three of his 12 games to set and tie career-highs, respectively.
He has 44 total stops, 3 pass deflections, and 1.5 sacks, again all tying or setting high marks.
A fourth-round pick of the 2021 draft, Togiai was the No. 132 overall selection of the cycle by the Cleveland Browns. He has also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars during his five-year career.
Texans teammate and fellow defensive front member Will Anderson Jr. said that Togiai was their “secret weapon,” per the Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren on December 13.
“He’s brought like just a stone wall to the middle of our defense, and nothing gets past him.”
Togiai is in his second season with the Texans, signing with the team in free agency during the 2024 offseason. The Texans were already sure of what they had in Togiai before he stepped into a starting role in light of injuries to Tim Settle Jr. and, more recently, Mario Edwards Jr.
The Texans signed Togiai to a one-year, $2.7 extension to keep him with them through the 2026 season.
Togiai was grateful.
“Just relieving, honestly,” Togiai told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson in September after the deal. “Very excited, obviously, that they trust me with that and everything, so I’m very grateful for this organization and for God most importantly.
“Just very grateful for them that they trust me and just take it day by day and prove my worth each and every day.”
Tommi Togiai Gets Reinforcement
GettyMarlon Davidson #90 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after sacking quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One of the keys to the Texans’ approach is being able to rotate linemen, which became more difficult when they had to elevate Togiai to the starting lineup.
They have taken multiple steps to address the issue, though.
The Texans brought in former Los Angeles Chargers DT Naquan Jones. They also called former Falcons and Tennessee Titans D-lineman Marlon Davidson up from the practice squad. The Texans face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16.
They should both rotate in behind Togiai and fellow starter Sheldon Rankins, keeping everybody fresh late into the contest.
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