Saints DT Nathan Shepherd ‘only’ fined $11,817 for dirty tackle that nearly hospitalized Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Nathan Shepherd had grabbed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's right leg and twisted it after Herbert had already thrown a pass, during their Week 8 matchup.
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Nathan Shepherd, Justin Herbert (Image via Imago)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd was fined $11,817 for unnecessary roughness. The Saints DT charged at Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert during their matchup at SoFi Stadium last week.
In the second quarter, Shepherd grabbed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s right leg and twisted it after Herbert had already thrown a pass. Los Angeles center Bradley Bozeman reacted by pushing Shepherd to the ground.
According to Pelissero, Bozeman did not receive a fine. Saints head coach Dennis Allen, via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, asserted that Shepherd’s actions weren’t intentional.
I think it’s not accurate. Here’s a guy that’s trying to wrap the quarterback up. He’s on the ground, he has no idea whether the quarterback has the ball or not. He’s just trying to bring the quarterback down to the ground. There was nothing malicious about that play. I went back and looked at that play again after seeing the comments and I don’t agree with that
Dennis Allen claimed
However, Bradley Bozeman didn’t agree. He defended himself and explained his actions.
It was probably one of the dirtier plays I’ve ever seen. You protect your quarterback no matter what. And I think any of our offensive linemen that was in my position would’ve done the same thing.
Bradley Bozeman told reporters
#Chargers C Bradley Bozeman on Saints DL Nathan Shepherd's hit on QB Justin Herbert, "it was probably one of the dirtier plays I've ever seen."
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) October 28, 2024
Bozeman added, "Protect your quarterback no matter what." pic.twitter.com/YJbbOEDcRX
Many players and analysts have criticized Shepherd’s actions. Emmanuel Acho termed Shepherd’s actions as dirty and trash.
How was Nathan Shepherd’s fine for Justin Herbert tackle determined?
The fine amount aligns with the fines set out in the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Shepherd’s fine matching the listed amount for a first-time “Striking/Kicking/Kneeing” offense. A second violation in this category would increase to $17,225.
The agreement also caps first-time fines at 10 percent of a player’s game check. Given Shepherd’s base salary of $1,125,000, which equates to $62,500 per game in the 2024 season (according to Spotrac), he may appeal to have the fine reduced.
As a first-time offender, Shepherd could further reduce his fine by 25 percent, bringing it down to $8,862.75, by watching a five-minute instructional video at the end of the season, according to the NFLPA.
The league has faced criticism for the modest penalty, especially as other players received similar fines for less severe infractions. For instance, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was fined $11,255 this week for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting, after harmlessly tossing the ball at Buffalo Bills defensive end Dawuane Smoot.
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Mohammed Bazim
(406 Articles Published)