On Saturday, the NFL handed out fines and suspensions for Week 1 of the slate, including a hefty fine for Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions began their season with a nail-biting 31-30 Week 1 overtime win against the New Orleans Saints, who nearly pulled off an unlikely upset in Detroit. Gibbs had a significant impact on his team's offense, with 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
However, the league issued him a five-figure fine for his actions while scoring a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, because he lowered his helmet into Saints cornerback Quincy Riley's chest. It resulted in a $23,027 fine for Gibbs, reportedly the NFL's largest fine given out this weekend, per Fox Sports. Another big Week 1 fine went to Washington Commanders receiver Stefon Diggs, with the NFL fining him $14,926 for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Philadelphia Eagles in his team's loss.
More news: Kenneth Walker Hit With NFL Discipline for Actions During Chiefs Debut According to the NFL's weekly accountability report, Gibbs' fine was due to unnecessary roughness for "use of helmet." NFL insider Mike Garafolo shared an X post showing Gibbs' touchdown and also mentioned that he never received a penalty flag for lowering his helmet on that touchdown against the Saints. There doesn't need to be a penalty flag for the NFL to fine a player, so the league fined him after further review of the game footage. Gibbs can appeal the fine, if he chooses to, but as of this report, there are no indications about whether he's appealed it.
The Lions' star running back didn't factor quite as heavily into his team's attempt to make a big comeback against the Buffalo Bills in their "Thursday Night Football" game on Prime. He scored once on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff in the second quarter, to finally get the Lions on the board and cut into the Bills' 21-point lead. Gibbs finished that game with 52 rushing yards on 16 carries and 61 receiving yards on six receptions.
Unfortunately, the Lions couldn't gain enough momentum to overcome Buffalo's big home opener, which was the debut of their new home stadium. The Lions lost 41-31 and are now 1-1 for the season. Gibbs and the Lions will have a chance to bounce back from the Week 2 loss when they face the New York Jets in Week 3.
That game is set for Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. More news: Dan Campbell Assigns Blame After Lions’ Week 2 Loss to Bills For more about the Detroit Lions and the NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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