NFL Referee Larry Smith Sidelined for Season After Wembley Injury
An official tore his quadricep after slipping on a slick turf during an NFL game at London's Wembley Stadium.
NFL official Larry Smith will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a torn quadricep sustained during a game at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The injury occurred as Smith slipped and fell on the turf, according to FootballZebras.com.
The incident happened during the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. Smith fell on his back and, upon attempting to rise, fell again. Training staff from both teams attended to him before he was transported off the field in a cart.
The officiating crew was reduced to six members for the remainder of the game, with responsibilities divided among the remaining officials. Smith was in his first NFL season of officiating, having previously worked in college football and spring leagues.
Heavy rainfall prior to the game contributed to the slick conditions of the natural grass field. Sideline reporter Molly McGrath noted on the NFL Network broadcast that players were also experiencing issues with the turf, with Texans wide receiver Nico Collins reportedly complaining about the slipperiness and changing to longer cleats. Despite the challenging field conditions, the Texans secured a 34-31 victory over the Jaguars.
The NFL will need to assign a replacement official to referee Shawn Hochuli's crew.