NFL Referee Larry Smith Sidelined for Season After Leg Injury at Wembley

According to a report from Football Zebras' Ben Austro, NFL referee Larry Smith will be out for the remainder of the 2026 season after injuring his leg while officiating the Houston Texans' 34-31 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The injury is suspected to be a torn quadriceps, Austro noted.

The incident occurred in the first quarter when Smith slipped on the wet field at Wembley Stadium while trying to catch a ball near the sideline between plays. He remained on the ground and was attended to by medical personnel before being carted off the field.

Smith is in his second season as an NFL referee and also works full-time as a middle school principal in Kansas City. He has previous officiating experience at the college level in the Big Ten and MAC conferences, as well as in the USFL.

Key Analysis

Smith's absence will be felt by the NFL officiating crew, as he was building experience in just his second year at the professional level. His dual career as an educator and referee highlights the diverse backgrounds of NFL officials. The injury also raises concerns about field conditions at neutral-site games, particularly in London, where wet turf can pose risks to players and officials alike.

Originally reported by bleacherreport.