Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore (2) reacts after removing his helmet which he is penalized for after catching the game-tying touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers' D.J. Moore correctly flagged in loss to Falcons

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/31/22

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports that Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore was correctly flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct late in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

"It’s been suggested that, because Panthers receiver D.J. Moore didn’t actually remove his helmet on the playing field, he wasn’t in the 'field of play or the end zone' within the language of the rule," Florio noted on Monday. "As one source with knowledge of the application of the rule explained it to PFT, the rule is intended to prevent a player from taking his helmet off, throwing it, and running around without it as part of a demonstration in any portion of the field of play, whether within the boundaries of the gridiron or beyond it."

Florio seemed to be responding to information shared by former head coach Tony Dungy on Sunday night:

Our NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay says according to the written rule this should not have been called a penalty because Moore was not on the field when he took off his helmet. https://t.co/MgxvckwDlv
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) October 31, 2022

Moore caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from P.J. Walker to tie Sunday's game with 12 seconds remaining in regulation, but his 15-yard penalty made the subsequent extra point a 48-yard attempt. Kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the try, and the Falcons went on to win 37-34 in overtime.

For what it's worth, Florio added a different Panthers player also could've been flagged shortly after Moore's touchdown.

"After Moore removes his helmet, jumps into the stands, and comes back down, tight end Stephen Sullivan, No. 84, enters the celebration without a helmet," Florio wrote. "He was on the field during the play — and removed his helmet while in the playing field — or he joined the celebration from the sideline. Either way, there was a violation of the rules."

Fans may not love the helmet rule, but it has existed since 1997 and, according to Florio, was applied correctly en route to the Panthers falling to 2-6 on the season.

More must-reads: