Teair Tart is going to be a little bit lighter going into the NFL Wild Card Round this weekend.
The Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle was hit with a fine of $11,593 for taunting Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans during LA’s 20-16 loss at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 27.
Tart’s fine was his third of this season, totaling $41,154. He was also docked $12,172 for unnecessary roughness against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 when he slapped tight end Travis Kelce in their game in Sao Paolo, Brazil
Tart also lost $17,389 for a late hit on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in LA’s 29-27 win in Week 6.
The Chargers will take on the No. 2 seeded New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Round on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Teair Tart Was Fined For Taunting Dalton Schultz
The Chargers defensive tackle did his job during the second quarter when he pursued the Texans tight end after he made a catch at the 12:15 mark of the second quarter with the Texans leading the Chargers 14-0.
But Tart took it a bit too far and drew the fine by hitting Schultz in the facemask after Schultz threw the ball to the official. Tart did draw a penalty for unnecessary roughness, since Schultz shoved him and the 315-pound defensive lineman toppled to the ground.
But Schultz was not fined for his actions against Tart, presumably due to the fact he was punished with a 15-yard penalty by the officiating crew.
According to the official NFL Football Operations site, “fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Teair Tart Is Developing A Reputation
Tart and the Texans have something of a history, since DeMeco Ryans’ team claimed him off waivers from the Tennessee Titans in December 2023. He played two games in Houston, making three tackles before joining the Chargers in August 2024.
But three fines in one season is a lot, especially since each play was preventable had Tart shown some level of restraint. Tart easily could have been ejected for his slap on Kelce, which could have cost the Chargers that game — he, of course, had a key pass defended on a Chiefs two-point attempt.
Add those fines to his one-game suspension in 2020, where Tart was banned for the Titans‘ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars for stepping on an opposing player, and Tart is going to start receiving larger fines. NFL fines compound as a player receives more disciplinary action against.
But fines only cost the player money. But an earned reputation can be impactful to a team. Those fines will have officials keeping tabs on his actions, meaning he may not draw the 15-yard foul the next time he clearly dives at a light shove.
Tart’s game has been playing to the edge, and sometimes going over the line, but if he continues to do so he’ll start affecting the Chargers through flags.
NFL Announces Another Punishment for Chargers Defensive Tackle Teair Tart