Bills running back Ty Johnson was being evaluated for a head injury at halftime and was not on the sideline for the start of the third quarter.
Johnson caught a pass at the goal line in the final seconds of the first quarter and was hit by Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker.
No penalty was called on the play despite what appears to be a clear helmet-to-helmet blow. The clock expired to end the half.
Johnson was later ruled out of the game with a concussion.
Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and CEO of Boston University's CTE Center, was among many questioning why a penalty was not called.
No question that was helmet-to-helmet. But it's the goal line and a big game. Is that why there was no flag? Is that a good thing? pic.twitter.com/2pliUm2N0a
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) January 8, 2024
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NBC analyst Matthew Berry also noted the lack of a penalty:
That should be a penalty on MIA - defender lead with his head and hit Johnson helmet to helmet. Buffalo should have 1st down and an untimed down to end half.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 8, 2024
People in my mentions saying this is dumb and “soft” but it’s literally the rule. If you agree your issue is with the NFL rule not me. NFL was very clear on this & it’s a point of emphasis. You can not lead with your head and you can’t go helmet to helmet. https://t.co/w7S5enYSnT
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 8, 2024
Former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak weighed in:
oh. textbook helmet to helmet. wow https://t.co/CPKHaRDEVv
— scottzolak ???? (@scottzolak) January 8, 2024
One X user simply posted the rule:
The helmet to helmet rule isn't complicated. This is all there is to it. It's a penalty. Because it causes concussions. Like Ty Johnson might have now. pic.twitter.com/gCpHud6QgY
— The Big, Dumb QB Haver (@BigDumbQBHaver) January 8, 2024