We're not a big the-NFL-has-gone-soft kind of blog, but the latest fine announced by the league office against Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is pretty egregiously soft.
According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, the league has fined Charbonnet over $45,000 for this block against the Detroit Lions on Monday night, which they say is a case of leading with his helmet.
NFL fines Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet for this hit
The NFL fined #Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet $45,020 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet on this play Monday night. (He’s lead blocker No. 26). pic.twitter.com/1AwXCeIGnK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 5, 2024
From a certain angle we can see how you might think he led with his helmet, but it's really, really hard to say that at live speed. For what it's worth, the officials on the field didn't even see the need to throw a flag.
In an ycase, Charbonnet has started two games this season while the team's number one running back Ken Walker was out with an oblique injury. He performed well-enough as a backup, with his breakout coming in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins. All together, Charbonnet has totaled 156 yards on 42 carries (3.7 per attempt) and three touchdowns. Charbonnet's real value has been as an emerging third down threat for Ryan Grubb's offense. He's already totaled 15 catches, 115 yards and a score as a receiver.
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