Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith’s NFL fine is now $6,223, down from $7,779 after an appeal. The penalty stemmed from an unauthorized shoe logo seen during warmups before a preseason matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. The available report did not identify the logo.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported the decision Sept. 12, shortly before Houston’s regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills. The league classified the matter as Smith’s first offense and said he had an opportunity to fix the uniform issue, but determined that a smaller fine was still appropriate.
The NFL lists a $5,971 penalty for first-time uniform violations involving items such as socks, jerseys and undergarments. First offenses involving unauthorized logos or intellectual property can draw fines of up to $11,941.
Smith might qualify for repayment through a policy the NFL Players Association announced in August. Under the policy, a player who records one offense in an eligible category may receive the entire fine back after the season. The NFLPA has not specified those categories.
Because the incident occurred on the playing surface during warmups, it could be covered as on-field conduct, though the policy’s application is unresolved. Smith would have to avoid another covered violation throughout the 2026 regular season for repayment to apply.
