Packers RB Josh Jacobs is fighting back against the NFL for punishment he doesn't think he deserves

When it comes to player safety, the NFL has been hitting players where it hurts the most: their wallets.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was docked over $45k on Saturday for using his helmet in "illegal fashion" against the Tennessee Titans, despite the fact that no flag was thrown on the play. The NFL outlawed lowering the crown of helmets in order to take on hits back in 2013 and it's a 15-yard penalty if it's called during a game.

The call wasn't made in Week 3, but that didn't stop the league from dishing out a very hefty fine. Before the season started, the NFL warned Jacobs -and others- of potential suspensions, down the line, if it continued. He was fined twice for using his helmet in 2023, so it's clear the league is trying to send a message.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Jacobs is fighting back and appealing the fine.

It's pretty easy to see why Jacobs is fighting back, especially when considering the potential suspension. If the above play isn't flagged during a game - how are players supposed to know if they're in the right or wrong? There's certainly a world where Jacobs could've done this, again, and it leads to a suspension. However, if he were flagged in real time, it gives him a shot at avoiding it later in the game.

Players typically don't come out on the winning side of these arguments, but Jacobs certainly has a case to make, here. As Pelissero mentions, both of his fines from 2023 were modified in his favor after the initial decree, so he's in better shape than most players going through that experience.