With just over a minute left in the first quarter, the Lions designed a rushing play for David Montgomery, and St. Brown cut toward Brisker from his outside spot to block before Montgomery arrived.
According to NFL Network, the league has attempted “cracking down on lowering the head to initiate contact.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s simple block midway through the first quarter of the Lions’ game on Sunday did not result in a penalty, but it did result in a huge fine six days later.
It’s not just running backs: The NFL fined #Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown $43,709 for this block last week against Chicago.
St. Brown is wearing No. 14 here. The league has been cracking down on lowering the head to initiate contact. pic.twitter.com/8vJ5MLgeK4
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 25, 2023
Detroit’s great receiver was fined $43,709 — one of the NFL’s largest fines this season — for seeming to lower his helmet while blocking Bears defender Jaquan Brisker, and his fee was classed on the fine log under the league’s “unnecessary roughness” category.
While it’s unknown whether St. Brown will appeal the punishment, it was the most expensive on the NFL’s Week 11 list, with Panthers safety Xavier Woods and Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (both $16,391) tied for second (both $16,391).
St. Brown, who is in his third professional season with the Lions, has caught 82 catches for 993 yards and five touchdowns through 10 games this season, and he now ranks fifth in the NFL in total yards by receivers, trailing Tyreek Hill (1,324), CeeDee Lamb (1,066), A.J. Brown (1,013), and Keenan Allen (1,011).
The Lions trailed the Bears by 12 points late in the fourth quarter, but scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to win the NFC North matchup.
But four days later, on Thanksgiving Day, against the Packers, Detroit trailed by 14 scores at halftime and never recovered in a 29-22 loss that reduced their record to 8-3 this season.
They’ll meet the Saints on December 3rd as they aim to keep the Vikings at bay at the top of their division.
