NFL Officials Under Fire for No-Call on Hit That Injured Vikings Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 6:08 PM ET

In the first half of this Week 17 NFC North matchup, Minnesota Vikings EDGE Pat Jones II was blocked low by Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. No penalty was called, but Jones would exit the game with an injury after the play.

On the Packers' previous drive, Vikings safety Harrison Smith was flagged for a 10-yard low block on offensive lineman Zach Tom in the first quarter.

Jones, a 2021 third-round pick of the Vikings, is a rotational defensive end with 451 snaps played heading into Week 17. Entering this contest, he had 39 total tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble and three stuffs.

This was the low hit from Tucker Kraft that hurt Pat Jones and went uncalled.

A bit odd, considering Harrison Smith was flagged for a low hit earlier in the half. pic.twitter.com/WseUSVLYV1
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 29, 2024

Vikings fans at the game and on social media reacted intensely to replays of the no-call by the refs, which resulted in Jones' injury.

"Smith flagged for a hit to the chest as a low block, then this happens no call, then next play PI that was weak," said one fan.

"The fix is so in," replied another.

"These refs are blind," noted another fan.

"How about the BS 15 yarder low hit call on Harrison Smith followed by no low hit on Pat Jones injury…..refs missing calls both sides," read a comment.

"'A bit odd' is right. The refs are scamming again," said a fan.

"Refs call a low hit on Harrison Smith, but miss one on Pat Jones and now Sam Donald," said a fan.

Another fan highlighted the game's commentators' explanation for why no penalty was called.

"Legal in the tackle box, per the announcers."

At this time, not much is known about the status of Jones' injury, but per Vikings Wire, he had been listed as questionable to return.

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

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