The Lions edge rusher was fined for the unflagged hit in the win over the Packers

Za’Darius Smith is the latest Detroit Lions player to have his paycheck docked by the NFL — this time for a violation he wasn’t even penalized for during the game.

The league fined Smith $6,722 for ball tampering, citing a hit to the head and neck area during the Lions’ Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Had officials flagged Smith for the hit on Packers quarterback Jordan Love, the penalty would have given Green Bay a first-and-10 at the Lions’ 32-yard line. This would have allowed the Packers to kick a field goal or even score a touchdown.

Instead, the play went unpunished, forcing the Packers to punt on the third-down incompletion. The Lions capitalized and eventually defeated Green Bay 34-31 on a game-winning field goal by Jake Bates as time expired. The win improved Detroit’s record to 12-1 on the season and 4-0 in the NFC North.

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