NFL Announces Punishment for Falcons Star Jessie Bates

Heavy Sports Heavy on NFL Heavy on Falcons NFL Announces Punishment for Falcons Star Jessie Bates After Hit in Cardinals Game

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Updated

Dec 27, 2025 at 8:07pm

Jessie Bates

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: Kei’Trel Clark #13 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass in front of Jessie Bates III #3 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Star safety for the Atlanta Falcons, Jessie Bates III, is being punished by the NFL for an unsafe play during the Arizona Cardinals game in Week 16.

The league announced Saturday that Bates was fined $17,389 for unnecessary roughness/hit on a defenseless player during the fourth quarter with 4:50 remaining.

No other players from either team were fined after the game. The Falcons (6-9) defeated the Cardinals (3-12), 26-19, last Sunday.

This story will be updated. 

Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. He also reports for his hometown newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Drake Bentley

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Star safety for the Atlanta Falcons, Jessie Bates III, is being punished by the NFL for an unsafe play during the Arizona Cardinals game in Week 16.The league announced Saturday that Bates was fined $17,389 for unnecessary roughness/hit on a defenseless player during the fourth quarter with 4:50 remaining.No other players from either team were […]

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