NFL to Make Punishment Decision After Brock Purdy Incident

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13).© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

NFL to Make Punishment Decision After Brock Purdy Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 10, 2026 10:20 PM ET

Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers looked to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign, one that ended in a Divisional Round loss to Sam Darnold and eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. And on Thursday, the 49ers opened the 2026 NFL season with a matchup against Matthew Stafford and NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia.

With 1:24 remaining in the first half of the 49ers vs. Rams matchup, San Francisco found themselves up 10-7 with the ball. On 2nd-and-3, Purdy attempted a pass short over the middle to wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but it fell incomplete.

However, as the former Iowa State quarterback released the ball, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Tyler Davis delivered a big helmet-to-helmet hit on Purdy, while linebacker Byron Young brought him down from behind.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) warms up before the start of the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 17, 2026.Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Sure enough, the officials called an unnecessary roughness on Davis for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Purdy, resulting in a 49ers first down. But that isn’t the only penalty Davis will receive from the play, as the NFL will likely be handing the Rams defender a fine as well.

The NFL reviews every game for potential fines throughout the season. And, typically, players can be fined up to $23,882 for a first “impermissible use of the helmet/launching” offense, which can increase to $47,762 upon a second violation.

The only Rams player to receive a fine during the preseason was linebacker Darryl Peterson III, who was charged $4,935 for a horse collar tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs. No 49ers players received a fine during the preseason.

In 2025, Los Angeles players received 12 different fines for a total of $132,095, compared to San Francisco’s 13 for $151,709.

Davis slams into Brock Purdy’s face mask and gets flagged for roughing the passer for the helmet to helmet contact pic.twitter.com/j3jDQ5gqZI
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 11, 2026