Tommy Tremble, Will Lee And Zakee Wheatley Fined For Taunting In Week 6

Three Panthers Players Fined For Week 6 Taunting Incidents© Instagram

Tommy Tremble expected a fine after pointing at Cooper DeJean in Philadelphia. The NFL has delivered it, along with two more taunting fines for Carolina teammates Will Lee and Zakee Wheatley following the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Eagles.

Tremble received the largest penalty at $11,941. Lee was fined $6,377 and Wheatley $5,626, bringing their combined bill to $23,944. The three incidents were separate, and only Trembles drew a flag during Carolina's 25–14 victory on October 18.

His reaction had been building before he reached the end zone.

Tremble's Touchdown Celebration Followed A Personal Foul

On the previous play, DeJean was penalized for unnecessary roughness after an encounter with Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans left Evans on the ground. Tremble then caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young and pointed toward the Eagles defensive back.

The gesture cost Carolina 15 yards on the extra point. Ryan Fitzgerald missed the resulting 48-yard attempt.

Tremble explained afterward that he was sticking up for Evans, although he acknowledged that retaliation had been a mistake.

“I shouldn't have retaliated. That wasn't cool for me to do,” he said in comments published by the Panthers.The touchdown was his second of the afternoon. He finished with four catches for 46 yards, contributing as a blocker as well as a receiver in a game Carolina needed to grind out.
 

Carolina Accounts For Three Of Four Taunting Fines

Lee's fine came from a third-quarter incident, while Wheatley's was assessed for conduct in the fourth. The NFL's weekly discipline list identifies both offenses as taunting.

Carolina accounted for three of the four taunting fines across the league in Week 6. Green Bay receiver Matthew Golden received the other, an $11,941 fine for a first-quarter incident.

That concentration stands out after an afternoon when Carolina repeatedly gave away yardage. The Panthers were penalized 13 times for 149 yards against Philadelphia, yet left with a win that moved them to 3–2.

Chuba Hubbard helped make that possible with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tremble's work included lining up at fullback to lead the way for Hubbard, who converted a fourth-and-one into a 19-yard gain.The league's review also reached beyond Carolina's taunting. Feleipe Franks received a separate $6,750 fine for a second-quarter blindside block.

NFL discipline can follow even when no flag is thrown. Officials review every play for possible violations, and players can appeal their fines. Any challenge goes to an appeals officer jointly appointed by the league and players' union.