NFL announces final decision on Dak Prescott incident

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NFL announces final decision on Dak Prescott incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 3, 2026 7:26 PM ET

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys will look to bounce back after a disappointing Week 3, dropping to 1-2 on the 2026 NFL season after a 34-31 last-second loss to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil. Now, the Cowboys look to avoid a losing streak in Week 4, hitting the road once again to face C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.

With 2:55 remaining in the third quarter of the Cowboys' loss to the Ravens, Prescott hit wide receiver George Pickens for a gain of 19 yards on third down, giving Dallas a fresh set of downs.

But as the former Mississippi State quarterback released the ball, he was drilled by Baltimore defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike.

The officials would eventually call roughing the passer on Madubuike for his hit on Prescott, giving the Cowboys an extra 15 yards and allowing Dallas to score a touchdown two plays later.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

The NFL reviews every play throughout the season for potential fines, and they did the same with Madubuike’s hit on Prescott. Players can be fined up to $17,911 for a first roughing the passer penalty, which can increase to $23,882 upon a second violation in the same season.

And despite the penalty, the NFL made the decision not to fine Madubuike for his roughing the passer on Prescott.

In fact, no players on the Ravens or Cowboys were fined following the Week 3 game in Brazil, despite the NFL handing out 32 fines on Saturday. And with just 30 of the league’s 2,615 plays in Week 3 resulting in fines, the rate came out to only 1.147%. Through three weeks of the 2026 NFL season, 88 fines have now been handed out.

“What a pass from Dak Prescott, and with the roughing the passer call to boot. Good game from GP3 so far,” A to Z Sports’ Mauricio Rodriguez wrote on X.