New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd was fined $4,600 by the NFL for his hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, multiple media outlets reported.
Per the NFL, a hit on a defenseless player can draw a fine up to $16,883 for first-time offenders. The league’s collective bargaining agreement, however, details that “no first offense may result in the imposition of a baseline fine in excess of 10 percent of a player’s salary cap count for the game.” Boyd’s salary cap hit this season is $839,707, per Spotrac.
Boyd was not penalized for the blindside hit on Smith in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ 15-12 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. Smith was knocked out by the hit and did not return to the game.
Smith, who remains in concussion protocol, did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and appears unlikely to play for Philadelphia (2-1) in its game on Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1).
Several Eagles players took issue with the hit. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson labeled it a “cheap shot.”
Boyd defended himself in an Instagram post that was later deleted: “I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury. Just tried to make a play on the ball. Get well soon 6.”
Boyd, 24, has recorded one tackle in three games this season.
–Field Level Media