NFL suspends Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. 1 game for repeated hits to head of opponents
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James has been suspended one game without pay by the NFL for repeated violations of rules intended to protect players’ health and safety
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended one game without pay by the NFL on Monday for repeated violations of rules intended to protect players' health and safety.
James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his last 18 games, the most in the league by a defensive player. All five have involved blows to the head of an opponent with his shoulder or helmet.
Jon Runyan, the league’s vice president of football operations, cited the league's ban on lowering the head and initiating contact with the helmet. Runyan pointed to James' targeting of Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth during the third quarter of Sunday's 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh as the last straw.
James lowered his head and hit Freiermuth, drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. James had an unobstructed path to Freiermuth and could have adjusted the way he delivered the hit.
