Roquan Smith Not Fined for Hit That Hurt Kenny Pickett

Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith was not fined for his hit on Kenny Pickett that left the rookie quarterback in concussion protocol throughout the week. On the hit, Smith grabbed Pickett’s facemask, driving Pickett to the ground. He would not return to the game, and Pickett has been ruled out of the Steelers’ contest against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

However, Steelers right tackle Chuks Okorafor and Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters were each fined $10,609 for a dustup that each engaged in. Okorafor started the altercation and Peters responded with a headbutt to the chin, causing an unnecessary roughness penalty to be drawn on the play.

The Ravens talked about the play as just the physical nature of the sport. Earlier in the week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin noted that he had no problem with the hit. The NFL likely reviewed the hit, but no penalty was called, and the hit itself did not seem dirty in intent from Smith.

The rule reads:

“No player shall grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask of an opponent in any direction. Note: If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask, he must immediately release it. If he does not immediately release it and controls his opponent, it is a foul.” 

However, that does not constitute a fine. Mitch Trubisky will start in place of the hurt Kenny Pickett on Sunday against the Panthers.