On Monday, the NFL announced that Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. has been suspended for one game without pay due to “repeated violations of playing rules aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of players.” This suspension follows an incident in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-10 loss to Pittsburgh, where James initiated contact by lowering his head. On that play, tight end Pat Freiermuth gained 15 yards for a first down, while James was penalized with a 15-yard flag for unnecessary roughness.
The Suspension Issued by League VP
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations, reportedly sent a letter to James as part of the league’s announcement. Runyan stated that James had the opportunity to avoid the hit and indicated that game footage showed him using his head in the tackle.
“Your ongoing disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote. “Significant penalties are appropriate when players repeatedly violate the rules designed to protect player safety, especially when such violations pose a serious risk of injury to opposing players.”
James: “I Don’t Feel Like I Hit Him”
Insiders close to James indicate that he intends to appeal the suspension. Should the appeal fail, he would be eligible to return to the Chargers’ roster on September 30, after missing their game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 29.
Following the game on Sunday, James expressed his frustration with the penalty, maintaining that he should not have been penalized.
“As I mentioned, I don’t want to keep the drive alive,” James told reporters post-game. “I was trying to bring the guy down. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll review it.”
Throughout his six-year career, Derwin James has received seven unnecessary roughness penalties, with five leading to fines totaling $127,792.
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