The Dallas Cowboys are already sitting at a rough 3-5, heading into a Sunday showdown against the 2-6 Indianapolis Colts. As if things weren’t tough enough, the NFL is hitting not one, not two, but three Cowboys players with fines *before* the game even kicks off. Talk about adding insult to injury, especially when both these teams are just desperate for something good to happen this season. Whoever pulls out a win here is gonna breathe a massive sigh of relief.
NFL Slams Three Cowboys With Penalties For Week 8 Hits
The league announced its latest round of fines on Saturday for rules broken back in Week 8, and the Cowboys roster took a significant hit. Defensive lineman Rashan Gary got slapped with a hefty $17,911 fine for a blow to the head or neck of a quarterback. Yeah, that was Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew, and it happened in the fourth quarter at the 2:23 mark. You never want to see that. Gary actually got taken out of the game for a moment by coach Brian Schottenheimer to deal with the issue, and the man himself expressed remorse, feeling like he let his team down. Messy situation all around.
But Gary wasn’t the only one feeling the sting. P.J. Locke was dinged for $19,444 for using his helmet, and that one was in the fifth quarter at the 4:34 mark. And DeMarvion Overshown also got hit for the same violation, though his fine was a bit less at $9,528, happening in the second quarter at 0:21. So, we’re talking about three different players, three different incidents, all adding up to a tough week off the field for Dallas. It’s never good when your guys are making headlines for fines instead of game-winning plays.
What This Means for a Season Desperate for a Win
This kind of news just piles on when a team is struggling like the Cowboys are at 3-5. Losing some cash is one thing, but it’s the optics, the message it sends. These teams are fighting for their lives, trying to find some momentum, and to have three guys on the punishment list before a critical game against another struggling opponent, well, it doesn’t exactly instill confidence. On the bright side, the NFL says the money from these fines goes to a good cause, specifically the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation. So, at least there’s that.
But for the Cowboys, facing the Colts on Sunday, this game is absolutely massive. It’s a chance to get back to 4-5, to feel good about something, finally. The fines are out, the money’s gone, and now it’s all about how these guys respond on the field. Will this be a distraction, or will it fire them up to play cleaner, smarter football? We’ll find out when the final buzzer sounds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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