An NFL umpire was forced from the field early in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ London game against the Houston Texans after suffering a non-contact leg injury. During the first quarter at Wembley Stadium, Larry Smith’s leg gave way while he was walking toward the sideline between plays, causing him to fall to the ground.
Smith attempted to stand and continue but his leg buckled a second time, and he collapsed again. Medical staff quickly responded and brought out a cart to remove him from the field. The exact nature of Smith’s injury and what caused the collapse were not immediately known.
Video footage showed Smith falling backwards without any contact from players, suggesting a sudden lower-body injury. Observers on social media described the incident as serious, and it appears unlikely that Smith will return to officiate this season.
The injury interrupted the officiating crew early in the Week 6 matchup between the Jaguars and Texans. Aaron Wilson, a reporter who covers the NFL, shared images of Smith being carted off and confirmed the referee was out for the remainder of the game.
No official statement from the NFL or the teams has been released regarding Smith’s condition or any potential replacements on the officiating crew. The incident is notable as it occurred during an international game, where the league aims to showcase its product on a global stage.
This injury adds to concerns over the physical demands placed on officials during NFL games. While players regularly endure contact and injuries, referees and umpires face risks as well, including non-contact injuries that can arise suddenly.
Smith’s removal from the game required adjustments to the officiating team. It remains unclear who stepped in to cover his responsibilities or whether the NFL will provide updates on his status in coming days.
The Jaguars and Texans continued their contest at Wembley without further injury-related interruptions to officials. The focus now turns to Smith’s recovery and how the league manages officiating personnel for future international fixtures.
According to Yahoo Sports.
