Chargers safety Derwin James was handed a one-game suspension on Monday for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” the NFL announced.
The one-game ban without pay stems from a play during the Chargers 20-10 loss to the Steelers on Sunday when James made hard contact with Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth with his helmet, which he was called for unnecessary roughness.
But the league took it a step further by handing down the suspension.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan sent a strongly worded statement that said that such actions “will not be tolerated.”
“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan said. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.
“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”
The suspension is the first of James’ career and NFL Network reported that the safety will appeal it.
James could potentially miss the Chargers’ Week 4 meeting with the Chiefs if the ban is upheld and wouldn’t be eligible to return until Sept, 30.
Los Angeles has already been dealt a slew of injuries, which potentially includes Justin Herbert, and this would be another blow for the Chargers.
