The NFL's Week 10 gameday accountability report landed a heavy blow on an unlikely target Saturday: Washington Commanders undrafted rookie linebacker Ale Kaho was assessed a $46,371 fine for “use of the helmet,” the single largest fine of the week.
The play that drew the sanction also left Kaho shaken.
On the second-half kickoff in Washington’s 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions, Kaho, who has primarily contributed on special teams this season, was involved in a helmet-to-helmet collision and did not return after being evaluated by medical staff for a concussion.
Immediately following the game, Kaho entered the league's concussion protocol and was ruled out for Sunday's international matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
Now, the undrafted rookie not only forfeits another game check but also takes a hit of more than $46,000.
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A Reno, Nevada native, Kaho played three seasons at Alabama-capturing a national championship in 2020-before finishing his college career at UCLA, where injuries limited him to just nine appearances across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
After signing with Washington as an undrafted free agent, he beat odds to make the 53-man roster and has played mostly on special teams while seeing limited defensive snaps this season.
The $46,371 fine is substantial for a player with Kaho's contract, which Spotrac lists at roughly $2.975 million over three years, with a 2025 base salary of $840,000 and roughly $75,000 fully guaranteed.
That makes the fine roughly 5.5% of his 2025 salary and more than 60% of his guaranteed money - a massive hit for a rookie on an entry-level deal.
Washington (3-7) travels to Madrid, dealing not just with Kaho’s injury but with a host of other, more consequential setbacks.
Franchise QB Jayden Daniels (elbow), star WR Terry McLaurin (quad), and 2024 second-round TE Ben Sinnott (ankle) will all be out, while Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore (knee) was recently placed on season-ending IR.
Meanwhile, Miami (also 3-7) will play with a healthy trio of Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane, though Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb (foot) is listed as questionable alongside CB Rasul Douglas (foot) and WR Dee Eskridge (shoulder).
The international setting and both teams' struggles make this a game that could tilt on field-position plays - the very phase Kaho helps.
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