The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald $16,391 for assault. Sea falcons Quarterback Geno Smith in last week’s 30-13 season-opening win, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Saturday.
If you’re thinking, “Oh, my God,” at the thought of being fined that amount of money, Smith had a similar reaction when he saw the All-Pro team moving toward him. The only difference is that his exclamation comes from a place of understandable fear, considering there wasn’t a soul in position to stop Donald as he charged through a gap during the second quarter on Sunday:
The 280-pound Donald will go down as one of the best defensive players the league has ever seen. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year had four tackles and a half sack on the first goal.
Last season, while dealing with an ankle injury, he had 49 tackles and five sacks in 11 games. But he has had at least 11 sacks in five of the last six seasons and led the league with 20.5 in 2018.
It would probably elicit a reaction of terror from almost anyone. Smith just got a microphone. The quarterback wasn’t able to get the Seahawks a first down on the play that gave us his audible reaction, as he threw the ball at the rookie’s feet. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith went 16-for-26 for 112 yards and threw one touchdown in the loss, a 10-yarder to receiver DK Metcalf in the second quarter.
DK Metcalf fined for unnecessary roughness
Metcalf led the Seahawks in the opener with 47 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. He was also cited by the league, according to a separate report by Pelissero Saturday.
The NFL fined him $10,927 for unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness after a hit on the Los Angeles Rams cornerback. Ahkello Witherspoon in the fourth quarter of the NFC West matchup.
The wideout was seen on the Fox broadcast giving Witherspoon a “hard shove” that sent him to the turf when he wasn’t looking. Witherspoon went down and had to be examined by the Rams’ medical staff after the incident, which occurred on Seattle’s first possession with 4:51 left.
Metcalf was eventually assessed a 15-yard taunting penalty for exchanging words with angry players on the Los Angeles sideline.
Sean McVay, Rams head coach he told reporters Monday that Witherspoon suffered a bruised rib and hip as a result of Metcalf’s hit. After the game, Metcalf said they “played harder” and he blamed his lack of preparation for the loss
Seattle will play the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field, hoping to avoid an 0-2 start for the first time since 2018.
