NFL Announces Punishment Decision for Bills Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Dec 27, 2025 4:59 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills faced the Cleveland Browns on the road in Week 16 of the NFL season.

Many expected the Bills to handle the Browns easily, but that wasn't the case.

Cleveland faced a 23-17 deficit entering the fourth quarter.

Before the Browns cut it to three points midway through the final frame, Josh Allen dropped back to pass and threw an incomplete pass to Khalil Shakir on 3rd down & 4.

Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins was going up against Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett when Dawkins' hands got up into Garrett's helmet, causing it to fall off.

There was no penalty on the play, and the Bills ended up not converting on fourth down on the following play.

On Saturday, the NFL revealed the fines for the week, and Dawkins' name was listed.

He was fined $11,593 for what the NFL called a "helmet opening."

Bills LT Dion Dawkins was fined $11,593 for unnecessary roughness (helmet opening) in the fourth quarter vs. the Browns. Blocking Myles Garrett, no penalty called on the field. pic.twitter.com/fzmd4GgsTL
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) December 27, 2025

Dawkins is in his ninth season in the NFL and his ninth in Buffalo.

He was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is a five-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-ACC player at Temple in 2016.

The Bills went on to defeat the Browns 23-20, improving their record to 11-4 on the season. They will now face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Week 17.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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