The New Orleans Saints were hit with two separate on-field discipline fines coming out of their Week 17 game against the Tennessee Titans, with cornerback Alontae Taylor fined $23,186 and safety Jonas Sanker fined $6,308, per the NFL’s weekly “Gameday Accountability” log.
Key details:
- Alontae Taylor: Unnecessary Roughness — Use of the helmet — $23,186 (Q4, 1:07)
- Jonas Sanker: Unnecessary Roughness — Facemask — $6,308 (Q1, 1:24)
- The NFL notes players are notified and can appeal; the fines are part of the league/NFLPA accountability process.
NFL fines Saints DB Alontae Taylor, S Jonas Sanker after Titans game
The league’s report ties Taylor’s fine to a late fourth-quarter sequence (1:07 remaining) and labels the infraction “use of the helmet,” one of the categories the NFL tracks under unnecessary roughness.
Sanker’s fine is logged earlier in the game at 1:24 of the first quarter and is categorized as a facemask violation.
One important note for readers: these accountability fines can be tied to a specific timestamp even if the play wasn’t a major headline in real time. The NFL states players may appeal rulings through the league’s process.
How the two plays unfolded on the play-by-play
Sanker (Q1, 1:24): At 1:24 in the first quarter, the ESPN play-by-play shows Tennessee running Tyjae Spears to the right end for a short gain.That’s the exact timestamp the NFL’s discipline report tags for Sanker’s facemask fine. The clean, accurate framing is: the league later fined Sanker for a facemask tied to that moment in the drive, based on its postgame review process.
Taylor (Q4, 1:07): Late in the fourth quarter, with the Titans pushing in the final minutes, the play-by-play shows a Cam Ward completion to Chimere Dike at 1:07, with Taylor credited on the tackle immediately after the catch.
What it means for the Saints heading into Week 18
For New Orleans, the immediate consequence is simple: two defensive backs just got a reminder from the league that the margin for “finish” vs. “flag/fine” is razor thin, especially late in games when ballcarriers and receivers are fighting for extra yards.
Even when a play doesn’t swing the scoreboard, these weekly fines tend to become a coaching-point staple, especially for defensive backs who live in tight windows. The Saints can live with aggressive coverage and hard tackles, but the league’s message is clear: the finish has to be clean, no grabbing at the mask in traffic and no lowering the crown when a receiver is bracing for contact. That matters even more late in games, when the offense is racing the clock and every short completion becomes a scramble for extra yards.
It’s also worth noting fines are separate from flags. A play can be penalized and still draw a fine, or it can be clean enough in real time to avoid a major stoppage and still get tagged after review.
It also lands at a time when the Saints are turning the page quickly to the season finale. The Saints’ own site has already shifted coverage toward the Week 18 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, meaning the coaching emphasis this week will likely include tackling technique and avoiding “free” yardage (and money) in high-leverage spots.
New Orleans is coming off a 34-26 comeback win over Tennessee, with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough helping spark the rally. That makes the timing sting a bit more: even in a win, the league still found two moments worth disciplining.
NFL Hits Saints With Costly Punishment After Titans Game