Two Dallas Cowboys players received fines for their infractions during the Week 18 game against the New York Giants, the NFL announced.
Safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet for a hit in the second quarter, while defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was docked $10,258 for an unnecessary roughness/facemask penalty during the third quarter.
The Giants beat the Cowboys 34-17 in the finale at MetLife Stadium to end their season with back-to-back victories and a 4-13 record.
Wilson Fined for Hit on Giants QB
Wilson was fined for a play in the first half, when he improperly led with his helmet to tackle quarterback Jaxson Dart on an 8-yard run. While the play was not flagged by officials during the game, the league deemed, upon review, that it was unnecessary and worthy of a fine.
The fine was Wilson’s second of the season. He was docked the same amount, also for illegal use of the helmet, in a Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders.
In 15 games with the Cowboys, the seventh-year veteran finished fourth on the team in tackles with 71. He also had two interceptions and forced a fumble.
He graded poorly according to Pro Football Focus, ranking 88th out of 98 eligible safeties with a rating of 50.8.
Ezeiruaku Penalty Led to Ejection
Ezeiruaku’s penalty was more blatant and led to him being ejected from the game. Following running back Tyrone Tracy’s third-quarter touchdown grab, Ezeiruaku could be seen grabbing the facemask of Giants guard Greg Van Roten and ripping the helmet off his head.
That did result in a penalty, and the rookie second-round pick was ultimately ejected from the game.
Ezeiruaku, the 44th overall pick out of Boston College, played all 17 games as a rookie and finished with 40 tackles (20 solo), two sacks and a forced fumble.
The Cowboys concluded their season 7-9-1 with the loss to the Giants, their first since the 2020 finale.
Two Cowboys Players Punished for Hits Against Giants Players in Season Finale