Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith had his fine for a preseason uniform violation reduced from $7,779 to $6,223, according to a report cited from league sources. The decision came before Houston’s regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
The second-year player was penalized after an unauthorized shoe logo appeared during warmups for a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The specific logo has not been identified in the available report. The violation was Smith’s first, and the fine was reduced following an appeal.
NFL penalties for first-time uniform infractions involving items such as socks, jerseys and undergarments are listed at $5,971, while a second offense carries a $17,911 fine. Unauthorized logos and intellectual-property violations can result in penalties of up to $11,941 for a first offense and as much as $23,882 for later offenses.
A policy announced by the NFL Players Association in August could affect Smith’s final cost. Under the change, a player who commits one offense in an eligible category can have the full fine returned after the season, provided there is no additional qualifying violation. The policy announcement did not identify the categories covered.
The report notes that the incident occurred during warmups on the playing surface, which could place it within the policy’s scope. Whether Smith qualifies for reimbursement will depend on whether he receives another eligible penalty during the 2026 regular season.
