Kyle Juszczyk and the 49ers finished the 2025 NFL regular season with a 12-5 record, earning the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. And on Sunday, the 49ers went into Lincoln Financial Field and walked out with a 23-19 wild card win over Jalen Hurts and the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles, advancing to the divisional round.
Juszczyk had a strong outing against the defending Super Bowl champion, recording four catches for 49 yards. And with 2:05 remaining in the second quarter, quarterback Brock Purdy hit the fullback, who juked his way to a 27-yard gain, Juszczyk’s longest of the day.
But at the tail end of the play, Juszczyk lowered his helmet and laid a big hit on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship, connecting with what appeared to be the defender’s facemask, pushing him back before linebacker Zack Baun helped bring the fullback down.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
And with his hit on Blankenship, Juszczyk could be fined next weekend. In 2013, the NFL added a rule that put “a ban on a ball carrier initiating contact with the crown of his helmet in the open field or by a defender while making a tackle.” While no flag was thrown for an illegal use of helmet, the league will likely still review the play and make a final punishment decision.
Typically, the NFL can fine players up to $23,186 for a first “impermissible use of the helmet/launching” offense, which can increase to $46,371 upon a second violation.
During the 2025 NFL regular season, the league issued 22 fines to offensive players for impermissible use of the helmet, totaling $370,988. That group included three fullbacks, as well as Juszczyk’s teammate, running back Christian McCaffrey, who was fined $23,186 following the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
JUUUICEEEE 🧃
SFvsPHI on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HAYQmVXXSM— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026
Juszczyk and the 49ers will now move on to the divisional round, where they will face NFC West rival and No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks for a spot in the NFC Championship Game.
Related: Eagles DT Jalen Carter Awaiting Punishment Decision After 49ers Incident