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Cowboys Star Bracing for NFL Punishment Decision After Jaxson Dart Incident
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- Cowboys Star Bracing for NFL Punishment Decision After Jaxson Dart Incident
Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants ended their season on a high note on Sunday with an impressive 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys . Dart led the way for New York, finishing with 22-of-32 completed passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The rookie quarterback also registered 32 rushing yards on five carries as he marked his fourth career win.
Dart took a hit to the head in one of his runs courtesy of Cowboys star Quinnen Williams . The All-Pro defensive lineman was caught driving his arm toward Dart's helmet as the latter slid to the ground. The referees immediately flagged the play for an unnecessary roughness penalty.
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Former New York Jets and now Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (95) during AFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Williams, who logged one assisted and one solo tackle in Sunday's loss, was assessed for a personal foul on Dart at the 12:35 mark of the third quarter. The Cowboys star came in from behind as Dart scrambled up the middle for a 5-yard gain.
The Giants got an extra 15 yards and an automatic first down because of Williams' unnecessary roughness violation. Dart would go on to lead New York to a touchdown on the same drive, finding running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. for a 13-yard score.
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Williams got called for a second unnecessary roughness penalty during the touchdown. The five-time Pro Bowl DL was penalized for shoving Giants rookie offensive lineman Marcus Mbow after the play.
The NFL Officiating Department will now review both of Williams' personal fouls. Depending on the result of the investigation, the Cowboys star could be fined for his actions against the Giants.
For context, the NFL fined 21 instances of unnecessary roughness in Week 17. The most substantial ones were on Alontae Taylor of the New Orleans Saints and Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans , who were both fined $23,186.
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Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Williams has received six fines totaling $102,356. The 28-year-old could get hit with another one for his foul on Dart on Sunday.
Williams will now wait for the NFL's decision, which will be announced on Saturday via the weekly gameday accountability report.
Related: NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Cowboys DE Jadeveon Clowney Incident
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
