The Houston Texans doubled up the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, notching a 40-20 victory at home in NRG Stadium. However, one decision from Texans defensive lineman Derek Barnett could come back to haunt him.
Barnett is in his second full season with the Texans. He has become a key part of a rotation behind Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. in a formidable pass rush.
Barnett’s actions against the Cardinals could cost a significant portion of his game check.
Texans DE Derek Barnett Could Receive Fine After Cardinals Game
GettyDerek Barnett #95 of the Houston Texans returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
During the fourth quarter of the Texans’ win over the Cardinals, Barnett lined up across from tight end Trey McBride. After the rep, which was a first-down run by Cardinals running back Michael Carter, officials had flagged Barnett.
His infraction was a “dead-ball personal foul” for “grabbing the facemask.”
“I think he got cut by the tight end, McBride, and Barnett wanted none of that,” Fox Sports’ Mark Schlereth said as officials sorted out the penalty. “It’s a totally legal play.”
Unfortunately for Barnett, per the NFL’s Accountability Portal, facemask penalties are fineable offenses. Fines range from $11,593 for first offenses to $17,389 for second infractions. The league has the discretion to levy (and has levied) fines above or below those thresholds, though.
In Week 15, the league doled out four fines over “facemask” penalties from Week 14.
Three of the four were under $6,800, while the highest of the week, $11,593, was levied against an offensive player in George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys.
Notably, Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., who suffered a season-ending injury during Barnett’s play, avoided a fine after his facemask call against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 14. Barnett’s infraction checked more boxes of what is illegal.
Section 2 of the NFL rulebook covers personal fouls.
Per Article 15, which cites “twisting, pulling, or turning the facemask or helmet opening” as constituting a facemask penalty, “If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask or helmet opening, he must immediately release it. He shall not grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask or helmet opening of an opponent in any direction.”
Derek Barnett Gets Last Laugh
GettyDerek Barnett #95 of the Houston Texans in action against the New York Jets.
Barnett was visibly upset. He continued to jaw at McBride even after the penalty was enforced. The call cost the Texans 15 yards and gifted the Cardinals a first down.
The drive ended with Jacoby Brissett finding Michael Wilson for an 11-yard Cardinals touchdown. After exchanging punts, the Texans would answer with a TD of their own, resulting in the final margin.
Barnett, 29, has played in all 14 games for the Texans this season.
He logged 16 appearances with the club in 2024. He is on an expiring one-year, $4 million contract with the Texans and will be a free agent in 2026.
Barnett entered the league as a first-round pick, selected with the No. 14 overall pick of the 2017 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent the first six-plus NFL seasons with the Eagles. He won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017.
The Texans acquired Barnett from the Eagles before the 2023 trade deadline.
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