Bam Knight is officially out for Sunday’s game against our Seahawks here in the Emerald City, sidelined by a concussion after a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit that the refs completely missed. It’s a massive blow for his team, but it is also a glaring spotlight on the NFL’s ongoing problem with how it flags, or rather, *doesn’t* flag, illegal use of the helmet.
The League’s Helmet Rule Is A Total Mess
Seriously, what are we even doing here? Through eight weeks, the NFL has slapped down 46 fines for illegal helmet use, but only *10* of those plays actually drew a flag on the field. That is a jaw-dropping disconnect, proving that the league office and the guys in stripes on the turf have two totally different ideas about what constitutes a dangerous hit. Week 8 was no different, with seven players getting fined for helmet infractions that went uncalled during their games. This isn’t just about money, folks. This is about player safety, competitive balance, and the integrity of the game.
Missed Calls Led To Chaos, Concussions, And Game-Altering Plays
The Cardinals’ win over the Cowboys last Sunday was a prime example of this mess, with two Dallas players getting fined for helmet hits that had significant impact on the game, yet weren’t flagged.
First up, with just 21 seconds left in the first half, then-quarterback Jacoby Brissett hit running back Bam Knight for a first down. But wait, Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown laid a helmet-to-head hit on Knight, forcing a fumble that Dallas defensive lineman L.T. Overton recovered. Dallas took over at the Arizona 47-yard line, but after a short run, kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a 61-yard field goal, ending the half with Dallas up 14-3. The real kicker? Knight suffered a concussion on that play and is now inactive for the crucial Sunday game against our Seahawks. With Jeremiyah Love also on injured reserve, Evan Hull will be active and Jerome Ford was elevated from the practice squad. Talk about ripple effects for a missed call.
Then in overtime, with the Cardinals trying to win it, Cowboys safety P.J. Locke delivered another helmet hit. This one was on a play where Tyler Allgeier gained three yards, but the hit was so bad it concussed Locke himself! He was fined $19,444 for it, but again, no flag on the field. The Cardinals eventually hit the game-winning field goal, but if Locke’s hit had been called, the ball would have moved from the 31-yard line to the 14, setting up a much easier kick. Locke, by the way, missed Wednesday practice, was limited Thursday, and practiced fully Friday. He’s still expected to play against Indianapolis, but imagine the stakes if that flag had come out.
Not all the fines went uncalled, thankfully. Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier was dinged $8,972 for a late hit on Cowboys tackle Tyler Guyton with 8:18 to play in regulation. That one *was* flagged, limiting a pass play from quarterback Dak Prescott to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to two yards on third-and-6, but the penalty resulted in a first down for Dallas. The Cowboys eventually scored on a 35-yard field goal to make it 27-17. And Cowboys defensive lineman Rashan Gary got hit with a $17,911 fine on a fourth-quarter play for hitting quarterback Gardner Minshew II in the head after a third-and-10 incomplete pass from the Dallas 29-yard line. That 15-yard penalty moved the ball to the 14, and Minshew then connected with tight end Trey McBride for a touchdown, cutting the Dallas lead to 27-24 with 2:11 left. So, while some were called, the damage of the uncalled ones looms large.
This weekend, when our Seahawks take the field against this Dallas team missing Knight, we will be watching not just the plays on the field, but how the officials handle these critical helmet calls. Every single hit matters, and with player safety supposedly a top priority, the NFL needs to get its act together. Let’s hope the focus stays on clean, hard-hitting football, and not on controversies caused by missed flags. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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