NFL Touchdown Erased by Rookie's Penalty

A late-game touchdown for the Detroit Lions was nullified by a penalty on an unlikely player. With the game on the line, quarterback Jared Goff threw a pass to star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for an apparent go-ahead score. However, officials called a penalty on offensive lineman Dan Skipper. The penalty was not on Skipper for his own action. He was flagged because rookie tight end Isaac TeSlaa, who was not playing in the game, ran onto the field and stood next to Skipper. This is an illegal substitution. The rule states a team cannot have 12 players in the formation. TeSlaa's entry created a 12th player, resulting in the penalty. The touchdown was taken off the scoreboard. Former NFL coach and rules analyst Mike Pereira explained the call. He supported the officials' decision, stating the penalty was clear and correct. The Lions ultimately lost the game.