NEW YORK — Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos has been suspended without pay for four games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 (a) which states that “it is a foul if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.”
In a letter to Jackson, Runyan wrote:
“With 13:38 remaining in the first quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules. The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.
“Illegal acts that are flagrant and jeopardize the safety of players will not be tolerated. The League will continue to stress enforcement of the rules that prohibit using your helmet to make forcible contact with your opponent. On 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.
Following the Broncos’ Week 7 game against Green Bay, Jackson was suspended for four games for violations of unnecessary roughness rules. That suspension was subsequently reduced to two games by hearing officer Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA. Jackson was also disqualified from a Week 2 game against Washington for a similarly flagrant hit, and subsequently fined.
Jackson will be eligible to return to the Broncos’ active roster following the team’s Week 15 game against Detroit.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Jackson may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided by the NFL-NFLPA hearing officers, Derrick Brooks or James Thrash.
