The NFL handed out five fines to Pittsburgh Steelers players related to actions during last week’s win at the Los Angeles Rams, including two for taunting and two for plays in which the offending players were not flagged.
Starting receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson combined for three flags, and each ended up accompanied by supplemental discipline from the league. Pickens was docked $8,525 for unnecessary roughness after he was penalized for an illegal blindside block in the first quarter. Pickens was fined the same amount for unsportsmanlike conduct as the result of the flag he drew for taunting during the fourth quarter.
Johnson, too, was cited for taunting late in the game against the Rams, although it was offset by a pass interference flag on Los Angeles. As a veteran making a salary higher than Pickens’ rookie contract, Johnson’s fine was for $10,927.
Running back Jaylen Warren ($48,556) and safety Damontae Kazee ($11,806) each were fined by the NFL for second-quarter plays against the Rams that were not penalized by the on-field officials.
Warren’s punishment was the result of a hit on Rams pass rusher Michael Hoecht. Blocking in pass protection, Warren ducked his head to hit Hoecht. It was the second time this season that Warren was fined for such a play, the first coming during Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.
An undrafted rookie last season, Warren’s base salary is $870,000, meaning his weekly salary during the 18-week season is $48,333. That would suggest that the fine means Warren, in effect, worked for free last week.
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