NFL Announces Punishment After Jaylen Waddle Incident

Jaylen Waddle Fined $14,926 By NFL

The Broncos trailed 16-0 at halftime before Bo Nix connected with Pat Bryant for a five-yard touchdown with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter. Denver went for two after the touchdown, and Nix found Waddle in the end zone to cut the Rams’ lead to 16-8.

Waddle and Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz then celebrated by pantomiming a dice roll.

The NFL didn’t find it quite as entertaining.

Both players appeared on the league’s Week 3 accountability report at the same 7:44 mark and received identical $14,926 fines for unsportsmanlike conduct involving an illegal celebration and vulgar act.

The fine adds an unusual postscript to an important moment in Denver’s comeback.

Waddle caught two passes for 10 yards in the victory and added 14 yards on the ground, but his successful two-point conversion helped spark a 30-point second half. Denver eventually completed the comeback when Nix scored on a one-yard run with 47 seconds remaining.

Broncos Turn Attention To 49ers

Waddle’s fine arrives as the Broncos prepare for Sunday’s road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Denver enters the game 2-1 after consecutive comeback victories. Waddle also appears ready to play despite being spotted in a walking boot after the Rams game. He was not given an injury designation for Sunday.

That means the Broncos should have one of their biggest offseason additions available for another major NFC matchup. He’ll just be entering it with a slightly lighter wallet.

The NFL reviewed 2,615 plays from Week 3 and ultimately issued 30 fines.

Waddle’s celebration made the list.