The Chicago Bears do not have a game this week, but the NFL works retroactively, what was bad news for Austin Booker and Zavion Thomas.
Per the NFL on November 14, the two Bears players received fines totaling $13,358. The fines are the result of infractions committed in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football.”
Thomas’ incident occurred first.
In the second quarter, on a first-and-goal from the Buccaneers’ 8-yard line, Bears running back D’Andre Swift gained 2 yards on a handoff. Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter made the stop to force second down.
However, officials flagged Thomas for “unnecessary roughness” during the game over an altercation with Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish in which the Bears receiver threw a blow.
The NFL fined Thomas $6,901 for “striking/kicking/kneeing.”
The fine is less than the standard amount for such infractions, which can cost players as much as $12,537 for first-time offenses and up to $18,507 for second offenses. It cost Thomas playing time during the game, with Bears head coach Ben Johnson noting it was his last offensive snap.
It pushed the Bears back to a second-and-21, and quarterback Caleb Williams threw the first of his 4 interceptions in the game on the ensuing play.
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The other fine levied against the Bears comes for an infraction that officials did not flag during the contest.
Also in the second quarter, Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s pass intended for wide receiver Emeka Egbuka fell incomplete. Booker received credit for a hit on the quarterback, but the play was otherwise innocuous in real time.
However, the NFL has fined Booker $6,457 for “unnecessary roughness.”
Booker’s specific infraction is impermissible “use of the helmet.” That can cost players up to $23,882 for first-time incidents and $47,762 for infractions after that.
The Bucs overcame the missed penalty, but they had to settle for a field goal attempt before the clock expire on the half. Perhaps the penalty gets them close enough to take a shot or two more into the end zone before their try.
At any rate, while Thomas was fined, this miss benefited the Bears.
Booker is also fortunate that the NFL did not rule this as roughing the passer. That could have led to a $17,911 fine for a first-time infraction ($23,882 for second offenses).
Buccaneers Player Fined Over Bears Game
Booker and Thomas were the only Bears fined over the contest. The NFL turned its attention to Buccaneers safety Keionte Scott. Scott received a $6,540 fine for “unnecessary roughness” over his impermissible “use of the helmet.”
Once again, the infraction occurred during the second quarter.
On a first-and-10 from the Bears 49, Williams found Kalif Raymond for a 6-yard gain, and Scott made the stop. However, he led with the crown of his helmet.
As was the case with Booker’s infraction, officials did not flag Scott or anyone else for anything in real time. Thomas would commit his infraction eight plays later on the same drive, just before Williams threw the pick.
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