NFL Makes Decision on Joe Burrow Incident

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NFL Makes Decision on Joe Burrow Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 11, 2026 6:27 PM ET

The NFL did not fine Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead for his penalty against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

The NFL’s weekly accountability report was released on Saturday, and it handed down a season-high 10 player safety-related fines.

But the Jaguars’ Armstead was left out of the report despite his roughing-the-passer penalty against Burrow in their Week 4 matchup on Oct. 4.

Armstead committed the foul late in the first quarter when Burrow threw a deep pass for wide receiver Tee Higgins. The Jaguars defensive tackle arrived late and made forceful contact with Burrow’s helmet after the quarterback released the pass.

Officials immediately threw a flag on Armstead for roughing the passer. This nullified Travis Hunter’s interception and gave the Bengals 15 yards and an automatic first down.

TRAVIS HUNTER PICKS OFF JOE BURROW

Burrow was looking for Tee Higgins, and Hunter jumps it… then puts Higgins ON SKATES on the return pic.twitter.com/0HJQnsmjVm
— Aggregate (@AggregateSports) October 4, 2026

Under the 2026 NFL rulebook, roughing the passer is defined as “any physical acts against a player who is in a passing posture (i.e. before, during, or after attempting a pass) which, in the game official’s judgment, are unwarranted by the circumstances of the play will be called as fouls.”

This penalty carries a $17,911 fine for a first offense and could rise to $23,882 for a second offense, according to the NFL’s fines schedule.

Armstead, however, avoided further punishment, as his name was not included in the NFL’s Week 4 accountability report.

The Jaguars came out on top in their Week 4 matchup, 22-17.

Burrow and the Bengals returned to action on Sunday. They snapped their two-game losing streak by defeating the Miami Dolphins, 31-24, improving to 3-2.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, took down the Philadelphia Eagles in London on Sunday, 19-17. They now have three straight wins and are 4-1.

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

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