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NFL Announces Punishment Decision on Jaxson Dart Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Dec 27, 2025 4:11 PM ET

Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants dropped their ninth straight game in Week 16, falling to 2-13 on the 2025 NFL season after a 16-13 loss to Harrison Smith and the Minnesota Vikings. Dart, the No. 25 pick in this year's draft, couldn't get anything going against a tough Vikings defense, completing 7-of-13 passes for just 33 yards and an interception, being brought down in the backfield five times as well.

With 8:01 remaining in the first quarter in the Week 16 matchup, the Giants faced a third-and-6 before Dart was brought down by Smith for what would have been the team’s first sack of the day. However, two flags were immediately thrown after the Vikings safety appeared to lead with his helmet while tackling Dart, resulting in a roughing-the-passer penalty that handed New York 15 yards and an automatic first down.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on during an NFL game.Brad Penner-Imagn Images

And with his hit on Dart, the NFL reviewed Smith's play for a potential fine. Normally, the league fines players up to $17,389 for a first roughing the passer offense, which can increase to $23,186 upon a second violation in the same season. And on Saturday, the NFL revealed that Smith was fined $17,389 for his hit, describing it as a "blow to the head/neck" area.

While Smith had not received a fine throughout the 2025 NFL season prior to Week 16, he was charged $45,020 for an illegal use of the helmet in last season's wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Over his 14-year NFL career, Smith has now been fined eight times for $153,829.

Smith wasn’t the only player from Giants-Vikings to be fined. New York cornerback Andru Phillips was also charged $7,923 for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter after pulling a player off a pile.

What is Harrison Smith supposed to do here?

Jaxson Dart gets nailed, but refs throw the 15 yard penalty. pic.twitter.com/bGVZeDPOht
— Alec Nolan (@AlecOnFOX7) December 21, 2025