I don’t remember (doesn’t mean it didn’t happen) contestants being penalized because another designer helped them with their weekly projects, even if it wasn’t a group project. I’ve often seen one designer sew for another, lend them fabric or notions, help with the design or fitting. Don’t see how that would be different for a group project, it’s just one designer helping another. If that’s not allowed, they need to say so - no sharing ideas, materials, labor.
Would it have been better for Bones to not have helped the smoking guy and had the team be in the bottom? I think it is the team manager’s job (even if self appointed) to wrangle everyone to the finish line.