NFL Announces Major Punishment on Vet for Actions on Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The NFL levied a hefty punishment on a Washington Commanders veteran for his actions against Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu has been suspended for one game after his illegal tackle against the Seahawks.

“Commanders LB Frankie Luvu has been suspended without pay for one game for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Seattle,” Schefter detailed in a November 3, 2025, message on X. “This is Luvu’s third hip-drop tackle of the season. He was previously fined for actions in Week 4 and Week 8.”

The play fell in line with the league’s new ban on hip-drop tackles. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo provided additional context, noting that the play came on a tackle against Smith-Njigba.

“The hip-drop tackle that led to Commanders LB Frankie Luvu’s suspension is on the hip-drop tackle of JSN on second-and-17 with 8:01 to go in the first quarter here,” Garafolo noted on November 3.

Here’s what you need to know about the NFL’s punishment decision following the Seahawks-Commanders game.

Commanders LB Frankie Luvu Received a 1-Game Suspension Without Pay After Illegal Tackle on Seahawks WR JSN

Luvu’s suspension was not just about his play against the Seahawks star. This marks the third time the Commanders defender has been disciplined for a hip-drop tackle this season. Here’s a look at the play that proved to be the illegal tackle that prompted the NFL to drop the hammer.

Not only is Luvu being suspended, but the linebacker will not receive pay during the suspension. The good news is that Luvu is on a three-year, $31 million contract, so the veteran can afford to lose a little money.

Seahawks Rumors: Seattle Is a Team to Watch at the NFL Trade Deadline, Says Insider

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks could be one of the few teams to strike a major trade. Seattle has until 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 4, to make a deal.

“I don’t know that we’re going to get much that’s any more significant than that move (Eagles-Dolphins trade) this morning,” Schefter detailed in a November 3, interview on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “We might. We might.

“Seattle is interesting. Seattle is interesting. As my friend Brian Windhorst would say, something is going on in Seattle. Yep, something is going on in Seattle. Seattle would be a team to watch.”

The Seahawks Are Unlikely to Trade Riq Woolen: Insider

One player who continues to be mentioned in trade rumors is former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen. The veteran has had an inconsistent 2025 campaign and is headed to NFL free agency in the offseason. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that the Seahawks are unlikely to cut ties with Woolen despite the ongoing rumors.

“It’s currently considered unlikely that the Seahawks trade cornerback Riq Woolen, sources tell @CBSSports,” Zenitz noted in a November 3, message on X. “Woolen, who’s been a popular name in advance of the NFL trade deadline, has made 52 starts the last four years and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2022.”

NFL drops the hammer on Micah Parsons in a way that makes the Packers feel even worse after loss to the Eagles

The Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. And it was despite a great defensive effort, giving up only 10 points — which wasn’t enough in an uninspiring performance by the offense, which scored seven. To make things even worse, the NFL has just fined star edge defender Micah Parsons.

Parsons was punished for tripping on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. During the play, the refs didn’t call a penalty, but the league decided to fine Parsons $12,172 as part of its weekly round of punishments. The play was considered unnecessary roughness, and categorized as striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.

Since the Packers acquired him from the Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons has been insanely productive. Against the Eagles, he generated seven pressures, and that was his fourth game this season with at least seven — he had a season-high 10 exactly against the Cowboys in Week 4.

The other Packers players to be fined this season have been safety Xavier McKinney, punished because of a taunting penalty during the Week 1 win over the Detroit Lions; linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, fined $6,891 because of a facemask penalty in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders; linebacker Quay Walker, punished for a hit on a quarterback in Week 7; and safety Evan Williams, fined $6,448 for unnecessary roughness by hitting the quarterback against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.

NFL fines

While it’s tough to see football players losing money like that for normal plays, at least it goes to a good cause. The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need.

Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Appeals officers, such as former NFL players Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, and Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA, hear cases. The decisions made are final and binding.

The potential violations include offenses against game officials, player safety rules or flagrant personal fouls, fighting, sportsmanship, uniform rules, and gang signing. 

Last year, the Packers were among the least penalized teams in football in this area. In 2024, 543 plays resulted in fines, or 1.16% of all plays in the season.

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