Umpire Larry Smith slipped and injured his leg during the first quarter of the Jacksonville Jaguars versus Houston Texans game at Wembley Stadium on October 18, 2026. Smith stumbled backward on the slick, wet grass and fell to the ground. After regaining his footing, he took a few steps before falling again in visible pain.
Medical staff from both teams attended to Smith on the field before he was taken off on a cart. The officiating crew continued the game with six officials instead of the usual seven. Smith’s duties as umpire were redistributed among the remaining officials.
The incident highlighted the slippery conditions of the Wembley playing surface, which posed risks not only to players but to officials as well. NFL Network’s Bob Wischusen noted the injury was non-contact, occurring solely due to the field’s wetness.
No further updates on Smith’s condition have been released. The game carried on with the reduced officiating crew following the early injury.
According to Yahoo Sports.
