Texans DE Antonio Smith to be suspended for Week 1 after helmet swinging incident, Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith will be suspended for the remainder of the preseason and for the regular season-opener after removing the helmet of Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and swinging it at his face during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 17, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
According to Schefter, Smith will be fined, as well. A one-game suspension in the regular season would cost Smith $352,941, the amount of one of his game checks from his $6 million base salary in 2013. Smith is appealing the fine and suspension.
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In addition to losing a considerable portion of his salary, a one-game suspension would end Smith's streak of 124 consecutive games played, which is the longest, by nearly two seasons, among active defensive ends. Smith has also started 62 straight games for the Texans, which is the second-longest active streak among defensive ends.
The Texans open against the San Diego Chargers in the second-half of a Monday Night Football doubleheader on Sept. 9.
Smith and Incognito were no strangers to one another as Smith was fined $21,000 for kicking Incognito during the Texans' 30-10 win over the Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2012 season.
Smith argued that Incognito had been holding and twisting Smith's ankle, and his fine was reduced to $11,000 upon appeal. The NFL chose not to fine Incognito, whose physical, chippy style often draws the ire of opposing defensive linemen, for the incident.
According to Schefter, Smith will be fined, as well. A one-game suspension in the regular season would cost Smith $352,941, the amount of one of his game checks from his $6 million base salary in 2013. Smith is appealing the fine and suspension.
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In addition to losing a considerable portion of his salary, a one-game suspension would end Smith's streak of 124 consecutive games played, which is the longest, by nearly two seasons, among active defensive ends. Smith has also started 62 straight games for the Texans, which is the second-longest active streak among defensive ends.
The Texans open against the San Diego Chargers in the second-half of a Monday Night Football doubleheader on Sept. 9.
Smith and Incognito were no strangers to one another as Smith was fined $21,000 for kicking Incognito during the Texans' 30-10 win over the Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2012 season.
Smith argued that Incognito had been holding and twisting Smith's ankle, and his fine was reduced to $11,000 upon appeal. The NFL chose not to fine Incognito, whose physical, chippy style often draws the ire of opposing defensive linemen, for the incident.
