Steelers

Steelers’ Darnell Washington fined for illegal block vs. Chargers

Chris Adamski
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 5:48 p.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 5:48 p.m.

Shown here with coach Mike Tomlin looking on during a training-camp practice last month at Saint Vincent College, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington said he has been fined by the NFL for an illegal block he allegedly delivered during this past Sunday’s game.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington said Wednesday that he was fined by the NFL for an illegal crackback block he delivered at some point during this past Sunday’s win against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Washington, though, said he did not know what play the league was referencing in delivering notice of the fine and that he planned to appeal it.

“They got the wrong guy,” the 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington said.

Steelers' Darnell Washington's fine is probably for this play. Locked up with Khalil Mack, eventually blocks him on the side/back area into a pile. Kinda soft, but blocking someone from the side into a pile will catch the NFL's attention. https://t.co/xsAKy5ZSjm pic.twitter.com/K4yzjJ21fF

— Brogan Noey (@BroganNoey) September 25, 2024

While Washington indicated his fine was for $6,000, according to the official NFL schedule of fines as part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players, a “blindside block” comes with a fine of $16,883 for a first offender.

Official confirmation of fines levied typically does not become available to media until late in the week after a given game. Players usually are notified formally of fines Wednesdays after a game.