Sauce Gardner's Expensive Suplex
The New York Jets took a loss in the AFC East standings and cornerback Sauce Gardner would soon absorb a subsequent loss to his personal finances.
Six days after a 32-6 setback at Buffalo on November 19, Gardner was issued a monetary penalty for playing rough with Bills' receiver Stefon Diggs.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that the league imposed a $10,927 fine on its 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Jets' CB1 committed the infraction on the second snap of the second half and was flagged on the play.
With the Bills leading, 16-6, quarterback Josh Allen looked Diggs's way on a 2nd-and-13 from the Buffalo 22-yard line. Allen hit Diggs for a 10-yard gain as Gardner wrapped up the Bills' receiver at the 32-yard line.
Diggs was unable to spin out of the tackle as the whistle blew to signal that forward progress had been stopped. After the play was audibly blown dead, Gardner continued his action of tackling Diggs, lifting him up and slamming the pass-catcher to the ground in a move that resembled something out of the WWE.
The officials charged Gardner with a 15-yard personal foul for unnecessary roughness, moving the ball up to the Bills' 47. Buffalo scored a touchdown six plays later.
Gardner was also flagged for grabbing Diggs in the end zone with his second-quarter holding penalty giving the Bills an automatic first down at the 4-yard line.
Diggs produced a somewhat pedestrian statistical line, catching four of eight targets for 27 yards. He made 10 grabs for 102 yards and one touchdown when the two teams clashed back in Week 1.
In the fourth quarter, the Jets' secondary surrendered an 81-yard touchdown reception to Bills' second-year receiver Khalil Shakir and Gardner was involved in the play. Allen hit Shakir around midfield, threading a needle as Gardner tried to cover for safety Jordan Whitehead and unsuccessfully jumped the route.
Whitehead has already been fined twice this season for unnecessary roughness. The veteran defensive back has incurred two separate $21,855 financial penalties.
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