WATCH: Aaron Donald called for controversial ‘roughing the passer’ call
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald was called for a controversial roughing the passer call during Sunday night’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans. The call eliminated any chance of a late comeback, drawing national attention about player safety and NFL referees.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Rams defense needed a stop, hoping to extend the game. After beating his block and chasing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to the sideline, the All-Pro lineman watched the pass in mid-air. On his way down, Donald pushed Tannehill with two hands, knocking him out of bounds into an assistant coach. The play drew a controversial roughing the passer call on Aaron Donald, extending the Titans drive.
Tennessee capitalized on the opportunity with an Adrian Peterson touchdown, extending the lead to 28-9 with three minutes remaining.
NFL media weighs in
During the Sunday Night Football broadcast, commentator Chris Collingsworth showed disbelief about the soft penalty. Play-by-play specialist Al Michaels brought former NFL official and NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay to give his opinion on the play.
“Chris its not late,” said McAulay. “It’s not to the head. It’s just not a foul. I don’t know why. The two hand-push, we see it called once in awhile. Sometimes we don’t see it called. That’s not roughing the passer.”
Collinsworth responded: “Plus he initiated his movement to push him before the ball was out of his hands. How do you stop 285 pounds once you started it?”
Away from the broadcast, NFL insider Albert Breer took a sarcastic approach to the conversation, providing an implied eye roll with his tweet.
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“No place for this type of brutality in our game,” Breer joked. “Hard to believe Ryan Tannehill is still in the game after this one.”
Former Los Angeles Ram finds new home
Veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson has found a new home with the Las Vegas Raiders after departing the L.A. Rams earlier this month. The Raiders fell to 5-3 on Sunday with a loss to the New York Giants, 23-16.
Jackson, 34, is now with his sixth NFL team since the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the second round in 2008. He played six seasons in Philadelphia, three in Washington, two in Tampa Bay, two more in Philadelphia and less than one in Los Angeles before heading to Las Vegas.
While his use with the Rams was limited, DeSean Jackson proved he can still play at a high level. He’s a deep threat at wideout and looking to make a playoff push with the Raiders. Las Vegas lost their top wideout, Henry Ruggs III, to a DUI resulting in death arrest last week.