The NFL disallowed the hit by Houston Texans rookie Calen Bullock, which landed Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose in the hospital.
The league announced a $5,916 fine Saturday for the Texans’ safety, one for a first-quarter hit against the Dolphins and one for the DuBose hit. Both were intended for unnecessary roughness, with the first defined as “use of the helmet” and the second for a “hit on a defenseless player”.
This final goal, which was immediately flagged, resulted in DuBose being carried motionless from the game and placed on a stretcher.
DuBose was subsequently hospitalized but reported having movement in all his extremities. The Dolphins ended his season by placing him on injured reserve earlier this week.
After the game, Bullock said he wasn’t concerned about NFL discipline because he had no intention of hurting DuBose:
“It was never my intention to go out there and not hurt anyone,” Bullock said. “That’s not our intention. Prayers for him and his family. I hope he’s doing well. I just saw the ball and I was just snapping on the ball. It just happened to be one of those types of plays.”
The Texans selected Bullock in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, picking him up after a first-team All-Pac-12 season at USC. Through 14 career games, he has 44 combined tackles, 10 passes defended and five interceptions for a Texans defense that ranks fourth in total defense and second in turnovers.
