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NFL Punishes 49ers' Offensive Star Before Falcons Game

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, so it's understandable why not many opposing players try to antagonize him.

However, second-year Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Tykee Smith, who's just 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds, couldn't help but get into a post-play altercation with the 11-time Pro Bowler during the fourth quarter of the team's Week 6 meeting last weekend at Raymond James Stadium.

The 49ers not only left that game with a 30-19 defeat, but Williams also left with a noticeably lighter wallet after he was punished on Saturday by the NFL for the physical altercation with Smith.

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Williams was fined $11,593 for unnecessary roughness (away from the play) for grabbing hold of Smith's and trying to wrestle him to the ground.

The incident happened right in front on an official, who penalized Williams 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. Smith was not penalized for his part.

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The flag may have had a significant bearing on the outcome of the game with San Francisco trailing just 27-19 and within one score of tying it up.

Quarterback Mac Jones was intercepted during the play, and though Williams' penalty seemed inconsequential at the time, it did move the Bucs from their own 5-yard to line to their own 20, getting them out of the shadow of their own end zone and effectively taking away the pressure of a potential safety.

Tampa Bay ultimately increased its lead to 30-19 on its next drive on a Chase McLaughlin field goal, which was made easier by the free 15 yards the team was given to start the series.

The 49ers will look to rebound from their Week 6 loss Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium on "Sunday Night Football."

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