The hit that ended Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz’s season apparently will go unpunished.
Multiple media outlets reported Friday night that the NFL will not fine Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney for a helmet-to-helmet hit last Sunday in the first quarter of a wild-card playoff game.
Wentz exited amid concerns about a concussion, and he didn’t return in a game that Seattle ultimately won 17-9.
Clowney wasn’t penalized on the play. Wentz was running, and Clowney was tackling him from behind when the defender’s helmet hit the back of the quarterback’s helmet.
Referee Shawn Smith, speaking with a pool reporter, said the officials ruled the helmet contact as “incidental.”
“He was a runner and he did not give himself up,” Smith said.
Clowney said postgame, “It was a bang-bang play. I don’t intend to hurt anybody in this league, let me just put that out there. I’ve been down the injury road; it’s not fun. My intention was not to hurt him. I was just playing fast. …
“That’s a great player over there for their team and for their organization. I hope he’s OK. Like I said, I didn’t intend to hurt him. I didn’t even know he went out of the game until the next series. I thought it was just a small hit, but everybody was going crazy on the sidelines. I was just trying to finish the play, but it happened.”
Wentz posted Monday on Instagram, “(I’m) feeling good today and will be just fine! Head injuries are a scary thing so I appreciate everybody’s thoughts and prayers. Hate not being out there to finish it out with my guys because of a play like that, but it’s the unfortunate part of this game.”
