New Orleans Saints rookie hit with fine from NFL due to actions vs. Eagles

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive lineman Khristian Boyd was at the center of controversy last week due to his hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith. 

As expected, the fallout of that hit that caused a concussion has arrived in the form of a fine letter from the NFL .

According to Katherine Terrell of ESPN, the $4,600 fine letter might check in lower than most would expect for a few different reasons: “So a hit on a defenseless player for a first time offender would normally be $16,883 but a first-time offender can't be fined more than 10% of their salary cap hit for a game. I think if it's determined to be accidental contact it could reduce it more.”

Boyd, a sixth-round pick, makes $839,707, so the math roughly checks out. He wasn’t flagged by officials for the hit, which he delivered after Smith had already been wrapped up by multiple Saints defenders. 

The lack of a flag and anything more than a fine seems to suggest the league doesn’t view the situation as anything more than it was. But it might also be safe to presume the rookie is now playing under a microscope, too.