Michael Crabtree was hit with an absolutely puzzling unsportsmanlike penalty on Sunday after he caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr.

Crabtree caught the pass, tossed the ball up in the air and walked in the end zone while briefly pointing at his shoulder.

A penalty flag came flying in after that.

Now, the NFL has an extensive list of gestures and dances banned under its celebration policy. One of those gestures would be the “throat slash,” which was what the officials called Crabtree for on the play. But I’ve watched the video on repeat, and it’s quite clear that there was no “slashing” of the throat. He pointed at his shoulder and dropped his arm.

That was all.

See how different Crabtree’s celebration was from this “throat slash” from T.J. Yeldon with Alabama in 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKfNxLpUYnw

If the NFL is going to eject players for two unsportsmanlike penalties, then it should put more thought into those calls. A gesture that kinda, sorta, maybe looks like the beginning of a “throat slash” but then totally doesn’t develop into said “throat slash” should not result in a “throat slash” penalty. Simple enough.

Back in September, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio claimed that the gesture was a nod to Kenny Powers. But really, Crabtree just pointed at his shoulder, and that can’t be a penalty.