The NFL did not approve Houston Texans rookie Calen Bullock’s hit that sent Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose to the hospital.
The league announced a pair of $5,916 fines for the Texans safety on Saturday, one for a first-quarter hit against the Dolphins and another for DuBose’s hit. Both were for unnecessary roughness, with the first defined as “wearing a helmet” and the second for a “hit on a defenseless player.”
The last hit, which was immediately called, caused DuBose to be taken from the game motionless and secured on a stretcher.
DuBose was subsequently hospitalized, but was reported to have movement in all of his extremities. The Dolphins ended their season by placing him on injured reserve earlier this week.
After the game, Bullock sHelp, I wasn’t worried about NFL discipline because he had no intention of hurting DuBose:
“My intention was never to go out and hurt anyone,” Bullock said. “That’s not our intention. Prayers to him and his family. I hope he’s OK. I just saw the ball and he was breaking the ball. It just turned out to be one of those types of plays.”
The Texans selected Bullock in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, choosing him after a first-team All-Pac-12 season with USC. Through 14 career games, he has 44 combined tackles, 10 passes defensed and five interceptions for a Texans defense that ranks fourth in total defense and second in turnovers.