The NFL suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for four games on Monday following his second ejection of the season in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers.
Jackson has been flagged three times and ejected twice this season for illegal high hits on opposing receivers. The NFL cited Jackson’s repeat offenses and cited Section 2, Article 9 (b)(1) of the NFL rulebook:
“It is a foul if a player forcibly hits the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him,” the rulebook reads.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension alongside a statement to Jackson addressing Sunday’s hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.
“On the play in question, you delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver, when you had the time and space to avoid such contact,” Runyan’s statement reads. “You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.”
The play in question took place in the second half of Denver’s 19-17 win when Musgrove caught a pass from Jordan Love. As Musgrave came down with the ball, Jackson lowered his head and dove for the hit. Musgrave’s head violently snapped back on contact.
A second angle shows Jackson’s helmet making contact with Musgrave’s shoulder and appearing to hit his facemask.
Jackson was previously ejected for a Week 2 hit that concussed Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas. Jackson lowered his helmet and launched himself toward Thomas on the hit in an effort to dislodge the ball.
Jackson drew a $19,669 for the hit on Thomas but was not suspended. A week prior, he was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a helmet-to-helmet hit that concussed Las Vegas Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers. He wasn’t ejected for the hit, but drew a $14,819 fine.
Jackson, 35, is in his fifth season as a starting safety in Denver. In seven games this season, he has two interceptions, three passes defended and 42 tackles. Backup Delarrin Turner-Yell could take his place in the starting lineup.
Jackson has a right to appeal the suspension under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.