The NFL has fined Cleveland Browns right tackle Tytus Howard $12,537 after reviewing a first-quarter tripping penalty from the team’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
Officials threw a 15-yard flag on Howard during that Aug. 15 game. League staff later classified the play as unnecessary roughness.
The amount matches the standard first-offense fine for tripping, striking, kicking or kneeing. A second violation in that category would have cost $18,507.
Howard’s fine is the largest the league has announced so far for the 2026 preseason. Fines from the third and final exhibition week have not been released.
Tennessee Titans linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo received the next-highest published preseason penalty, $10,625, for a facemask against Seattle.
Preseason fines are often smaller because players are not yet collecting regular-season game checks. Howard’s figure stood out anyway.
The league’s power to levy these penalties comes from the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association. Officiating staff flag plays for further review. Football operations then decides whether a fine is warranted.
Players receive a letter and video of the play. Those who do not appeal have the money taken from their next game check. Those who appeal appear before an officer jointly appointed by the NFL and the union.
This year’s appeals officers are Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash.
Fine proceeds go to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation, which support former players.
Howard, 30, arrived in Cleveland on March 11 in a trade that sent a 2026 fifth-round pick to Houston. He then signed a two-year, $45 million extension that included an $18.45 million signing bonus and $34.5 million guaranteed.
A 2019 first-round pick out of Alabama State, Howard started all 93 of his games with the Texans from 2019 through 2025. He can play right tackle or slide inside to either guard spot.
Cleveland finished the preseason 1-2 after losses to Chicago and Buffalo and a 37-13 win over New England. The Browns open the regular season on the road against Jacksonville on Sept. 13.
One report said Howard tripped Bears defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on the flagged play. He was not ejected.
The fine lands after what had been a productive offseason for the veteran lineman as Cleveland rebuilt its offensive line. Howard has not publicly commented on the penalty.
League reviews of preseason tape routinely produce these announcements weeks after the games themselves. Howard now heads into the regular season with the matter on his record unless he successfully appeals.
