NFL referee done for season after nasty slip during London game

Referees aren’t immune from the NFL injury bug.

Umpire Larry Smith will miss the rest of the season with a torn quadriceps muscle, according to Football Zebras, after he slipped on the turf at Wembley Stadium during Sunday’s Texans-Jaguars matchup in London.

Smith attempted to stand after the non-contact injury, but staggered back to the turf in visible pain. Line judge Carl Johnson knelt beside him as trainers came out to check on him.

Umpire Larry Smith receives treatment after getting injured during a game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Smith is in the middle of his second NFL season after seven years as a referee and one as a center judge in the Big Ten. He also previously worked in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). 

It marks the second straight week of Smith garnering some unwanted attention.

Last week, he went viral during the Chargers-Broncos game when his cleat came off as he was moving to his pre-snap position.

Umpire Larry Smith is assisted from the field after getting injured during a game between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. AP Photo/Ian Walton
Umpire Larry Smith leaves the field on a medical buggy after suffering an injury during the NFL London Series game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. Getty Images

Referee Shawn Hochuli called timeout and pointed to himself, addressing the Broncos’ defense in what was seemingly a failed attempt to divert attention from Smith fixing his footwear.

The injury leaves head referee Hochuli in need of a substitute umpire with his officiating crew for the remainder of the season before their Week 7 assignment.

NFL officials have continued to find themselves in the headlines this season, with line judge Jeff Seeman and referee Adrian Hill each suspended for separate Week 4 incidents.

Seeman got a two-game ban for cursing out Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, while Hill earned his one-game suspension for snapping at Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson after an accidental collision.

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