NFL Fines Saints’ Khristian Boyd $4,600 for Hit on Eagles’ Smith

The NFL has imposed a fine of $4,600 on New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd following a contentious hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith during Week 3. This penalty stems from an incident where Boyd’s hit resulted in Smith being sidelined with a concussion, although officials did not penalize Boyd at the time of the play, due to a delay in blowing the whistle.

According to the league’s regulations, a fine for hitting a defenseless player can reach as high as $16,883 for first-time offenders. However, the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that fines for first offenses cannot exceed 10% of a player’s Salary Cap Count for the game, considering mitigating factors. Given that Boyd’s salary cap number is just above $839,000, the fine was calculated accordingly.

As a result of the concussion, DeVonta Smith was absent from Wednesday’s practice and must successfully pass through the concussion protocol to be eligible to play in the upcoming game on Sunday.

The hit on Smith drew considerable frustration from several members of the Eagles. The mood within the team was somber, as they expressed their discontent with the way the play unfolded.

Offensive tackle Fred Johnson, who stepped in for Lane Johnson after the incident, described the moment as alarming. “I saw him [knocked] out, and I waved to the training staff to indicate he was out cold. It was scary,” he recounted. “You never want to witness something like that, especially when he catches the ball and is running backwards for several steps.” Johnson emphasized the responsibility of the officials in such scenarios, saying, “It’s on the refs to call that play dead and take the appropriate action when a player is hit after the whistle.” He lamented that a significant player like DeVonta should not have been subjected to such a hit after making the catch.

In response to the incident, Boyd engaged with fans on Instagram, conveying his well-wishes to Smith. He affirmed his intent, stating that he would never “deliberately try to give someone a serious injury.”

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a teammate of Smith’s, expressed his outrage regarding the play. “That was one of the dirtiest things I’ve ever seen in football,” he remarked. “It’s clear that forward progress was halted. For Boyd to deliver a cheap shot on one of our key players speaks volumes about their team—it shows they’re front-runners.” Johnson’s comments reflect a broader sentiments within the Eagles organization about the need for player safety and accountability in officiating.

The aftermath of the incident has spurred conversations about the protocols in place to protect players during games. Coaches and team leaders are likely to advocate for tighter enforcement of rules regarding player safety, particularly for vulnerable players in the open field.

As the Eagles prepare for their next game, the team is hoping for a quick recovery for Smith, as they value his contributions on the field. The heightened emotions surrounding the incident may serve to bond the team further, galvanizing them in their pursuit of success on the gridiron.