The NFL is cracking down on alleged fake injuries.
The league recently sent all 32 teams a memo warning them of consequences in cases of “deliberate actions to delay the game.” One of those deliberate actions — faking a hamstring injury when you’re making late substitutions — just as Cincinnati Bengals S Jessie Bates seems to have done against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13.
These types of moments used to garner praise as a veteran move, but the NFL doesn’t seem to be a fan. It ultimately didn’t hurt the Chiefs’ ability to score as they’d get a two-yard Jerick McKinnon touchdown just three plays later.
flag-worthy gamesmanship pic.twitter.com/IVbEM7FwYC
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 4, 2022
The Bengals were so committed to the act, that they even put Bates on the injury report this week.
They seriously put Jessie Bates on the injury report 😅😅
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 7, 2022
Unfortunately for Bates, that’s not going to save him from the inevitable as the NFL issued him a $50K fine, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
It wasn’t just the #Saints and Cam Jordan: The NFL also fined #Bengals safety Jessie Bates $50,000 for allegedly faking an injury last week, per source. Bates will appeal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 10, 2022
The league also went after the New Orleans Saints per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, issuing massive fines against multiple members of the team for an alleged fake injury to Cam Jordan in the fourth quarter of their Monday night game this week.
NFL fined the Saints $350,000, HC Dennis Allen $100,000, co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen $50,000 and DE Cameron Jordan $50,000 for what the league felt was Jordan faking an injury and taking a knee in the 4th qtr Monday night, per sources. All parties plan to appeal fines.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2022
If the memo didn’t serve as a warning, these fines certainly will.
