Houston Texans Defender Slapped With NFL Punishment

The NFL fined Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith $5,971 for wearing silver cleats during the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a person familiar with the penalty.

The assessment marks Smith’s second uniform-code fine of 2026.

KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported Tuesday: “Another #NFL uniform code violation for #Texans corner Jaylin Smith. He was fined $5,971 for wearing silver cleats vs. Bengals, per a source.”

Smith was a third-round pick by Houston in the 2025 draft, taken 97th overall out of USC. He is in his second NFL season.

His first penalty this year was $7,779 after a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. League officials cited an unauthorized logo on his cleats that was visible during warmups.

Smith appealed that fine. The league later reduced it to $6,223.

The new $5,971 penalty is smaller than the listed rate for a second uniform violation. NFL guidelines put a second offense involving socks, jerseys, undergarments or similar items at $17,911. Unauthorized logos and branding can carry even higher second-offense figures.

The first-offense baseline for basic uniform violations is listed at $5,971, the same amount Smith was charged this week.

Houston has drawn several equipment penalties already this season. Running back David Montgomery was fined $11,491 for an unauthorized logo on his cleats. Left tackle Trent Brown was fined $8,923 because his socks did not cover his lower leg. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,492 for an unauthorized message on his eye black.

Al-Shaair wore another unapproved message in Week 2 against Cincinnati. He also received a similar fine in January. A second personal-message violation can reach $17,911 under the published schedule.

League officials, including former players, review uniforms before games. Players are supposed to have a chance to correct problems on site.

The NFL and NFL Players Association set the fine chart through collective bargaining. Fines that exceed 10 percent of a player’s weekly pay can be reduced. The 2026 minimum salary is $885,000, or about $55,000 a game.

Since 2011, the league has said about $4 million a year in collected fines has gone to player-assistance programs and charities. One industry tally put last season’s overall player fines at $6.8 million.

Smith is listed at 5-foot-11 and about 190 pounds. He played nickel and safety at USC before moving to cornerback as a senior and recorded 58 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups in that final college season.

Players may appeal any fine. Appeals officers jointly appointed by the league and the union hear those cases. A second violation this season also means Smith would not qualify for end-of-year fine refunds that apply to some one-time offenders under the 2026 policy changes.

The Texans have had repeated brushes with the uniform code under head coach DeMeco Ryans this year, even with pregame checks in place.