Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith had a $7,779 penalty reduced to $6,223 after an appeal involving a preseason uniform violation, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The decision came before Houston’s regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Wilson reported on Sept. 12 that the fine stemmed from an unauthorized shoe logo that was visible while Smith warmed up before a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The specific logo has not been identified in the report.
Smith is in his second season and was selected in the third round of the draft. The violation was his first, and the report said additional money could be returned after the season if he does not receive another fine during the 2026 season.
The NFL’s listed penalties for first-time uniform infractions are $5,971, while a second violation carries a $17,911 amount. Those examples include matters involving socks, jerseys and undergarments. Separate penalties for unauthorized logos or intellectual-property issues can reach $11,941 for a first offense and $23,882 for later offenses.
A policy announced by the NFL Players Association in August provides for a player’s full fine to be returned at the end of the season after one offense in an eligible category. The union’s announcement did not identify which categories qualify.
The report noted that warmups occur on the playing surface, which could make Smith’s violation eligible for the policy, but the specific application has not been confirmed.
