NFL umpire Larry Smith carted off with leg injury during Jaguars‑Texans game at Wembley, Oct. 18, 2026

Umpire Larry Smith was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury in the first quarter of the Jacksonville Jaguars‑Houston Texans International Series game at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18, 2026.

The injury occurred when Smith slipped on the wet grass between plays, and he was unable to put weight on his left leg. Trainers from both teams assisted, and he was placed on a medical cart for evaluation.

Smith, a Kansas City, Kansas, middle‑school principal in his second year as an NFL official, previously spent several seasons as a Big 10 college football official before joining the league in 2025. His absence reduced the officiating crew from seven to six members, leaving referee Shawn Hochuli to assume many of the umpire’s responsibilities for the remainder of the game.

The match, which kicked off at 9:30 a.m. ET, saw the Texans take a 17‑14 lead at halftime after quarterback CJ Stroud connected twice with tight end Foster Moreau for touchdowns. Jacksonville, entering the contest with a 4‑1 record, had previously won a dramatic 19‑17 game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the week before.

Officials and league representatives noted that the wet field conditions at Wembley contributed to the non‑contact injury. The incident has reignited discussion about the safety of playing on natural‑grass surfaces in the International Series, especially when weather creates slick conditions.

League spokespersons said they will review the field’s preparation and drainage protocols ahead of upcoming overseas contests, including games in Paris, Madrid and Munich later this season. The review aims to ensure that officials and players can compete on safe playing surfaces, reducing the risk of similar injuries.