Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson may face an NFL fine following a controversial play in his team’s recent 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. During the second quarter of the game, Hutchinson was penalized for unnecessary roughness after extending his leg to trip Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. While the penalty cost the Lions at the time, Hutchinson could now be subject to a fine, as the NFL reviews all games for potential violations each week.

This wouldn’t be the first time Hutchinson has dealt with fines, as he previously paid $11,473 for an illegal hit against the Carolina Panthers in 2023. However, he’s also managed to avoid punishment for other hits, such as a late hit on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earlier this season, which many expected to result in a fine but did not.

Given the NFL’s strict stance on tripping and leg-whipping infractions this season, Hutchinson might find it harder to avoid a fine in this instance. The league has already penalized players, including Buffalo Bills’ Joey Bosa, for similar leg-related penalties in 2023.

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who made a successful return to action after a long injury recovery, took to Instagram to joke about the Lions’ “knee cap” mentality, referencing Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s famous 2021 introductory speech. McCarthy shared a photo from the game with the caption “Knee caps are intact,” which earned praise from his teammates. Tight end T.J. Hockenson hailed McCarthy’s leadership, noting his poise despite being only a second-year player.

Despite the win, McCarthy remained humble, emphasizing that the team still had a long way to go in terms of potential. With the Lions now looking to bounce back against the Washington Commanders, they’ll be facing a team struggling with injuries, including the loss of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who’s expected to be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a dislocated elbow. In addition, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu will be suspended for the Lions game after an illegal tackle in the previous week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.