INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Umpire Larry Smith #102 looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) (Katelyn Mulcahy via Getty Images) Chris Cwik Contributing writer Sun, October 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM UTC · 1 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sunday slate in Week 6 began in one of the worst ways possible: With an injury. It wasn't a player on either the Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans who went down, however, it was umpire Larry Smith.
Smith needed to be carted off the field after he appeared to sustained a lower-leg injury after falling on the field.
Smith was injured in between plays. The broadcast showed a replay of Smith's fall. While he was initially able to get up, he started limping after taking a step or two and was forced to go back down to the ground.
With Smith presumably out for the rest of the game, the contest will feature six members of an officiating crew instead of the usual seven.
Smith is a long-time Big 10 official who finally got the call to the NFL last season. This was his second year on the job. When he's not officiating, Smith is a principal at a Kansas City school.
He spoke about his promotion to the NFL on a local news program last year.
As the umpire for Sunday's game, Smith was tasked with standing behind the offensive players and watching for offensive line penalties or other offensive infractions.
That task will now be filled by another member of the officiating crew Sunday.
Source: Sports
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