NFL reportedly fines Browns QB Deshaun Watson, RB Quinshon Judkins more than $14K for smoking gesture in win over Steelers
During a season in which the NFL saw the most accepted penalties through Week 4 since play-by-play data became available in 1978, per ESPN, celebrations have resulted in an array of flags and subsequent fines.
Although the NFL and NFL Players Association released a joint statement this week clarifying that celebrations "imitating drinking a beverage" won't be considered violations, they outlined other gestures that are prohibited and can lead to a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, fine or both.
Those are gestures that depict violence, smoking or drug use or are sexual in nature.
And on Saturday, a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero surfaced, noting that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Quinshon Judkins have each been fined more than $14,000 by the league for a smoking gesture during a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 4.
The NFL fined Browns QB Deshaun Watson $14,926 and RB Quinshon Judkins $14,397 for unsportsmanlike conduct (illegal celebrations and vulgar acts).
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2026
Nothing was obvious on the TV broadcast, but source said it was a "smoking" gesture after Judkins' TD last week.
The celebration occurred in the aftermath of Judkins' go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter at Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field.
The NFL hit Watson with a $14,926 fine and Judkins with a $14,397 fine, technically for "illegal celebrations and vulgar acts," Pelissero reported for The Ringer and Netflix.
In his report, Pelissero wrote on X that "nothing was obvious on the TV broadcast." Here's the highlight the Browns clipped on social media following the short-yardage score.
Quinshon muscling it in!#PITvsCLE on @NFLonPrimepic.twitter.com/1DH9KmMN8D
- Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 2, 2026
But Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland WEWS provided footage of the acts in question and reported offensive lineman Austin Barber was also fined $6,944.
According to Justice's report, Judkins received the same fine as Watson, a $14,926 forfeiture.
Three #Browns players were fined for celebrations following Quinshon Judkins' touchdown against the Steelers last week.
- Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 10, 2026
The fines were given for "Illegal celebrations and vulgar acts."
Judkins and QB Deshaun Watson were each fined $14,926. OL Austin Barber was also fined... pic.twitter.com/BDxL6phE6R
In the video Justice posted, a jubilant Judkins can be seen mimicking smoking something and then handing it to Barber, who pretended to take a puff before spiking it to the ground.
Judkins repeated the simulation, putting his fingers up to his mouth before giving the fake object to Watson. The 31-year-old QB willingly accepted. Soon after, both Judkins and Watson dropped the theatrics and pumped up the raucous crowd.
Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown was reportedly fined four times for a smoking gesture he demonstrated during a "TNF" loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.