The NFL suspended Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James one game on Monday for “repeated violations” of league rules to protect players’ health and safety.
James will appeal the suspension, The Athletic reported. Otherwise, the Chargers will be without their former Pro Bowl safety for their Week 4 contest against the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The suspension comes after James led with his helmet when landing a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on Sunday in a 20-10 loss. James was penalized on the play, saying after the game that he was frustrated to be flagged and didn’t believe he hit Freiermuth in the head or neck.
“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,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to James. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact (with 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.”
James’ appeal will be heard by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson, all retired NFL players jointly appointed as hearing officers by the NFL and NFLPA.
James, 28, has 21 tackles and one sack in three games this year. He has played six seasons for the Chargers since they drafted him in the first round in 2018, missing all of 2020 due to injury. He was a first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
In 69 career games (all starts), James has totaled 518 tackles (26 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 32 pass breakups, eight interceptions and five forced fumbles.