Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. So, too, did the NFL, which has already fined Jackson $89,670 for four illegal hits before suspending him two games, costing Jackson $279,000.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) runs after the catch as Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) defends during the first half on an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)
DENVER (AP) \u2014 The NFL suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games without pay on Monday for repeated violations of the league\u2019s playing rules intended to protect players.
Jackson\u2019s latest banishment stemmed from his hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Sunday night in Jackson\u2019s first game back from his first suspension for an illegal hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave on Oct. 22.
The 14th-year pro acknowledged upon his return from suspension<\/a><\/span> last week that he couldn\u2019t guarantee he\u2019d keep from getting in the NFL\u2019s crosshairs again for his overly aggressive play, and it didn\u2019t take long for him to prove it.
On the game\u2019s third snap, Jackson led with the crown of his helmet on a third-and-1 run by Dobbs, jarring the ball loose. No flag was thrown and nickel cornerback Ja\u2019Quan McMillian jumped on the loose ball at the Vikings 30-yard line. Dobbs went straight to the medical tent but came right back out and didn\u2019t miss any snaps.
\u201cIt seemed like a pretty direct helmet-to-helmet type hit,\u201d Vikings coach Kevin O\u2019Connnell said after the Vikings\u2019 21-20 loss. \u201cThe rule is what it is. They didn\u2019t throw the flag. It happened fast out there. We\u2019ll have to take a look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson\u2019s latest suspension will cost him $558,000 in lost paychecks.
Jackson\u2019s hit should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty with Minnesota maintaining possession, NBC rules analyst and former NFL official Terry McAulay suggested on the broadcast.
\u201cHe lowers his head and makes forcible contact to the opponent,\u201d McAulay said. \u201cYou see, his head is down. This should have been a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.\u201d
Jackson\u2019s first banishment was whittled to two games on appeal. He\u2019ll likely have a tougher time getting this second suspension similarly reduced.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the latest suspension for a violation of the league\u2019s rules prohibiting players from lowering their head and making forcible contact with the helmet.
In a letter to Jackson notifying him of his latest suspension, Runyan wrote, \u201cyou were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules\u201d for lowering his head to hit Dobbs. \u201cYou had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.\u201d
\u201cIllegal acts that are flagrant and jeopardize the safety of players will not be tolerated,\u201d Runyan continued.
\u201cThe league will continue to stress enforcement of the rules that prohibit using your helmet to make forcible contact with your opponent.
\u201cOn the play in question, you lowered your head and delivered a forceful blow to the shoulder and head\/neck area of an opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact. You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.\u201d
Barring a successful appeal, Jackson will miss games against the Browns, Texans, Chargers and Lions before being allowed to return ahead of the Broncos\u2019 Christmas Eve game against New England.
The Broncos (5-5) have the NFL\u2019s longest active winning streak at four games as they try to become just the fourth team to reach the playoffs after starting 1-5.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, Jackson may appeal the suspension, which would be heard and decided by the NFL-NFLPA hearing officers, Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, who are both former players.
Brooks heard Jackson\u2019s last appeal and cut that suspension in half.
Before the suspension was handed down, Broncos coach Sean Payton said he had spoken with Jackson about the situation early Monday morning and there was nothing they could do but wait for the league\u2019s ruling.
Complicating matters for the Broncos is an ankle injury suffered by Jackson\u2019s fill-in, PJ Locke, last week. He was inactive Sunday night and Payton said he won\u2019t know about Locke\u2019s availability for this weekend\u2019s game against Cleveland until later in the week.
AP NFL: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/NFL<\/a><\/span>
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n