For the second time in three weeks, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace was at the center of a controversial penalty. The first was against the Denver Broncos in Week 3 when he was called for defensive pass interference, which set up the Broncos' game-winning touchdown.
On Sunday, he was flagged late in the Rams' loss to the Cardinals, this time for unnecessary roughness. Officials ruled that he hit the receiver, Jalen Brooks, in the helmet, which gave Arizona a free 15 yards on top of the 21 picked up on the play.
That put them in field goal range just one play after the Rams took the lead, 16-15. Chad Ryland went on to make the 41-yarder as time expired, giving the Cardinals the 18-16 win.
As expected, fans ripped the officials in the game for throwing a flag in that situation, especially considering Wallace's shoulder barely grazed Brooks' helmet.
UNREAL PERSONAL FOUL
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 18, 2026
WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO??? pic.twitter.com/L4XLXmZw0W
Shocker https://t.co/DNsOu96sEA
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) October 18, 2026
Now THAT Wallace call was AWFUL! Way more controversial than the one in Denver.
— Nick Newman (@NinerNick_22) October 18, 2026
I do not get that penalty. Especially in that moment.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) October 18, 2026
Don’t know about that personal foul against the Rams on the hit in the secondary….phantom contact
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) October 18, 2026
That’s not unnecessary wtf
— JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) October 18, 2026
Rams lose thanks to a bogus 15-yard roughing penalty.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 18, 2026
How are we calling that unnecessary roughness on Josh Wallace?
— Blaine Grisak (@BGMediaOnSI) October 18, 2026
Another penalty this season late in the fourth quarter that Wallace has been screwed on.
That penalty was terrible on Rams. That’s not egregious
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) October 18, 2026
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Fans blast refs for controversial penalty on Rams late vs. Cardinals