Cornerback Josh Jobe and Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris were penalized for their personal foul penalties in the first quarter. It was only a minor scuffle that saw Jobe fined more than Harris, presumably because the latter was on a rookie contract and CBA rules don’t allow a player to be fined more than 10% of their game check for a first-time offense. Jobe’s fine is the usual first offense.
DeMarcus Lawrence was fined $17,911 for his hitting passer penalty against Justin Herbert. He landed on Herbert’s knee, which was an automatic flag even though the hit was due to tripping Lawrence by the Chargers’ main cop job. That was consecutive weeks of Lawrence losing money due to illegal hits on the quarterback.
But the main story of Seattle’s fines is Nick Emmanwori. His unexpected headbutt by Chargers guard Cole Strange, which helped gift the Chargers a short field goal to close the first half, resulted in a $14,648 fine for helmet use. Emmanwori’s other $14,648 fine was for an uncalled hip-drop tackle on Oronde Gadsden II, something to watch out for the rest of the season.
Why Nick Emmanwori is now closer to a one-game suspension
The NFL has made it a point to emphasize certain types of personal fouls, implementing a new rule in 2026 that mandates a one-game suspension. if there are three offenses committed for any of the following offences:
-Hip-Drop Tackle
-Horse Collar Tackle
-Launching
-Hit a Defenseless Player
-Blindside Block
Repeated hip-drop violations resulting in suspensions are nothing new, as Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu was first suspended for one game last season before the league lifted the ban. What has been consistent so far is that NFL officials don’t flag hip-drop tackles during the game, while the league office deals with punishment after the fact.
Emmanwori can appeal this fine in the hope of getting his money back and a zero strike on his ledger. Otherwise, two more hip-drop tackle fines without any successful appeal means he doesn’t automatically miss a game.