TreVeyon Henderson has been fined $12,537 for an illegal chop block during the New England Patriots’ 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The penalty, which went uncalled on the field, occurred with less than a minute left in the game but was later reviewed by the NFL, leading to the financial sanction.
The incident involved Henderson delivering a chop block to rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr 55 seconds before the final whistle. Despite the referees not flagging the move during the game, the league office examined the footage afterward and imposed the fine. Sports Illustrated first reported the penalty, with Patriots reporter Mike Reiss confirming the exact amount on X.
The chop block came at a moment when the Patriots had already secured a commanding lead. It allowed Raiders quarterback Drake Maye to avoid pressure and connect with tight end Hunter Henry for a first down. Fans in the stadium saw no indication of a foul, but the NFL’s retroactive disciplinary actions made clear that the scoreline did not excuse the illegal hit.
While Henderson faces the individual penalty, the Patriots are dealing with a more pressing issue on their offensive line. During the first half against Las Vegas, offensive lineman Will Campbell suffered a knee sprain after a tackle on running back Rhamondre Stevenson impacted Campbell’s right leg. This injury is particularly concerning as it is the same leg on which Campbell tore his MCL last season.
Sports Illustrated noted that the injury could cause Campbell to miss some games, pending an MRI to determine the full extent of the damage. Campbell had been a cornerstone of the Patriots’ offensive line, allowing just 11 pressures and one sack this season. His absence would leave a significant gap.
Rookie Caleb Lomu stepped into the starting role in Campbell’s place, playing a career-high 47 snaps and conceding only one pressure. Lomu told reporters, “That’s just one of the things that Vrabes and even this league is all about,” referring to the demands of the position and the need to stay ready for such opportunities.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel offered mixed reflections after the game. While he was pleased with the 45-17 victory, he criticized the number of penalties the team committed, calling them “ridiculous.” Vrabel emphasized that big wins can sometimes mask problems that could hurt the team later in the season. He warned that the Patriots cannot rely on overcoming mistakes every week.
The team’s improved 3-2 record shows progress, but Vrabel’s comments suggest a focus on discipline and cleaner play moving forward. Lomu expressed readiness for his increased responsibility, saying, “Always just like I said, preparing like a starter no matter what happens, you know, as soon as it happened, I was ready to go, do what I could do to help the team win.”
The Patriots now look ahead to their next game against the New York Jets, aiming to reduce penalties and tighten their performance in key moments. Meanwhile, Henderson’s fine serves as a reminder that the league is willing to review and punish infractions even when officials miss them in real time.
According to Yahoo Sports.
