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NFL Fines Cardinals’ Budda Baker $17,389 for Hit on SeahawksJaxon Smith-Njigba

The penalty reflects the league’s heightened focus on player safety, especially head contact.

Overview

  • The fine was listed on the NFL’s weekly discipline report for unnecessary roughness on a defenseless receiver.
  • Baker’s high shot came during Seattle’s 44–22 win and sent Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a concussion check before he was cleared to return.
  • Smith-Njigba finished that game with five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.
  • Heavy reported the amount matches the standard fine schedule as the league intensifies enforcement of safety rules.
  • Newsweek noted a broader crackdown that has produced dozens of weekly fines and a hip-drop ban, and it highlighted Smith-Njigba’s season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards.