![October 27, 2013: Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Green Bay Packers Defensive End Datone Jones (95) [18637] is fouled for shoving Minnesota Vikings Offensive Tackle Phil Loadholt (71) [11244] in the in the second quarter.](../../wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/05/11121638/198131027012_Packers_at_Vikings.jpg)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Datone Jones has been fined $36,464 for his roughing the passer call on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the 33-32 loss Sunday.
The call came during the Falcons’ last drive of the first half down 13-21 at midfield. Ryan completed a pass to tight end Austin Hooper for no gain but Jones’ roughing penalty pushed the Falcons to the Packers’ 38-yard line. They would score on a Devonta Freeman touchdown five plays later to bring to score to one possession before the half after the Packers kicked a field goal as time expired.
Packers fans have been lamenting all week that the call should not have happened, and Jones’s wallet probably agrees.
The $36,464 is exactly 65 percent of his weekly salary so he may be able to appeal as the NFL does have a system in place for players’ fines that are a majority of their weekly earnings. But the fine is supposed to be steep as it is Jones’ second offense.
Jones was previously suspended one game in 2015 for breaking the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and forfeited $123,794.
While this was a nitpick call, it doesn’t help Jones’ already weak case for the Packers to pick up his fifth-year option. Through six games, Jones has just five tackles and in the previous three years after being selected in the first-round out of UCLA, he only has eight sacks and 58 total tackles.
He is currently buried on the depth chart with Clay Matthews having moved back to outside linebacker as well as Nick Perry and Julius Peppers adding competition.
