Seahawks' Kenneth Walker draws bogus NFL fine for supposed 'taunting' vs. Cardinals
The Seattle Seahawks improved to 3-1 with an inspiring, dramatic victory over the Arizona Cardinals ln Week 4. But, according to fines levied by the league office this week, the NFL wasn't as impressed as the rest of us.
Both Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker and cornerback Devon Witherspoon were fined $11,593 for what the league deemed "unsporting actions."
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 4, 2025The NFL fined #Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III $11,593 for taunting — pointing and tossing the ball at
#Cardinals CB Kei’Trel Clark, who’d yanked Walker’s leg after a play last week.Clark was not flagged or fined.
Walker was dinged after getting penalized for a taunting penalty in an exchange with Cardinals' cornerback Kei’Trel Clark. After tackling Walker, Clark yanked his leg well after the play was over. Walker responded by first pointing, and then tossing the ball at the defender to draw a flag
Inexplicably, Clark wasn't flagged for the play. And as common occurrence in the NFL, the retaliator drew the penalty instead of the instigator.
Despite the short fuse, Walker played one of his best games of the season in the 23-20 win. He had a season-high 19 carries for 81 rushing yards and added 29 receiving
Witherspoon was fined without getting penalized after standing over Cardinals' tight end Trey McBride after making a tackle. The star cornerback is out of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an injury.
The Seahawks look to move to 4-1 in a 1:25 game against the 3-1 Bucs.
Giants Make Final Week 5 WR Decision as PS Elevations Are Revealed
The New York Giants made an unexpected decision at wide receiver ahead of their Week 5 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, as they announced their final roster moves — two practice squad elevations — on October 4.
“The Giants activated LB Neville Hewitt and K Jude McAtamney from the practice squad,” NYG team reporter Dan Salomone revealed on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier, upon learning that the Giants would not be elevating or signing an extra wide receiver for Week 5, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan posted the following.
“This is a surprise: The Giants are not elevating WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game, per source,” Duggan stated. “I had figured the vet would get elevated with Malik Nabers out for the season. I know this is being viewed as a big opportunity for Jalin Hyatt, but I’m expecting undrafted rookie Beaux Collins to get most of the reps at No. 3 WR.”
Along with Humphrey, the Giants have veteran WR/returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette and rookie WR/special teams ace Dalen Cambre on the practice squad as well. Apparently, none of the three will get an opportunity in Week 5.
Giants WR Malik Nabers Told Jalin Hyatt That His Injury Is His ‘Chance’ to Break Out
Nabers has proven himself as a true professional both on and off the field since being drafted by Big Blue. His leadership was on full display after his season-ending injury this week.
Jalin Hyatt says he had a "long talk" with Malik Nabers after his injury:
"He's one of my best friends on this team. He's been in my corner, he's kind of seen the adversity I've been through. He just told me it's my chance, this is the time for me to do what I've got to do." pic.twitter.com/6lapzy4oOF
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 1, 2025
“[Nabers and I] had a long talk,” Hyatt told reporters this week, on October 1, via SNY. “He’s one of my best friends on this team. And he’s been in my corner. He’s kind of seen the adversity that I’ve been through.”
“He just told me it’s my chance,” Hyatt continued, detailing Nabers’ message for him after the injury. “This is the time for me to do what I’ve got to do.”
Hyatt concluded that he’s going to “be ready,” and that he “can’t wait to go out [on the field] and play Sunday,” alongside quarterback Jaxson Dart.
It appears the Giants’ current plan is to see if Hyatt and Collins can seize the opportunity at wide receiver.
Giants’ Week 5 Elevations vs. Saints Solidify Jude McAtamney as Potential Long-Term Option at Kicker
Hewitt has been called upon as a practice squad elevation twice already due to his special teams impact — as well as the Giants’ injuries at inside linebacker. This is the last time that the Giants can elevate Hewitt during the regular season without signing him to the 53-man roster.
Similarly, McAtamney gets the call for the second straight week, and this is no surprise, considering he went 2-for-2 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points in Week 4.
The more McAtamney continues to develop, the more the former international prospect will be seen as a potential long-term option at kicker. Graham Gano is 38 years old, and 2025 marks the third straight season that he’s been sidelined with an injury.
Most members of the Giants beat were surprised that NYG didn’t cut Gano this offseason, for salary cap purposes. If this injury lingers and McAtamney keeps making his kicks, it’ll be difficult to envision Big Blue sticking with Gano in 2026.
The Giants can save $4.5 million in cap space by releasing Gano next offseason, and in all likelihood, they will.
