DENVER (AP) — This time, Kareem Jackson caught no breaks from the NFL, which denied his enchantment of his 4-game suspension for a excessive hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs that got here on his third playback from his first suspension.
Listening to officer Derrick Brooks, collectively appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, upheld the punishment handed down a day earlier. Brooks additionally heard Jackson’s final enchantment, for an unlawful hit on a Inexperienced Bay tight finish final month, and minimize that four-game suspension in half.
Jackson will miss video games towards the Browns, Texans, Chargers and Lions, the final three on the street, earlier than he’s allowed to return towards New England on Christmas Eve.
His suspension comes at a crucial time for the Broncos (5-5), who personal the league’s longest energetic successful streak at 4 video games as they attempt to develop into simply the fourth group to achieve the playoffs after beginning 1-5.
Complicating issues is the ankle harm suffered by his fill-in, PJ Locke, that sidelined him Sunday night time when the Broncos rallied previous the Vikings 21-20 thanks to a few takeaways.
The hard-hitting 14th-year professional acknowledged upon his return from his first suspension final week that he couldn’t assure he’d hold from getting within the NFL’s crosshairs once more for his overly aggressive play, and it didn’t take lengthy for him to show it.
On the sport’s third snap, Jackson launched at Dobbs and led with the crown of his helmet on a third-and-1 run. Simply as Dobbs was about to get hit, edge rusher Baron Browning pried the ball unfastened and nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian recovered for Denver.
The hit wasn’t flagged, so the turnover stood and Denver transformed a discipline aim.
Jackson has run afoul of the league’s efforts to advertise participant security all season, getting fined a complete of $89,670 for 4 unlawful hits earlier than dropping $279,000 in misplaced wages throughout his first suspension.
This suspension will price him one other $558,000, bringing his 2023 whole in fines and forfeitures to $926,560, making him by far probably the most penalized participant within the league this yr.
NFL Vice President of Soccer Operations Jon Runyan issued the most recent suspension for a violation of the league’s guidelines prohibiting gamers from decreasing their head and making forcible contact with the helmet.
In a letter to Jackson notifying him of his newest suspension, Runyan wrote, “Unlawful acts which might be flagrant and jeopardize the protection of gamers is not going to be tolerated. The league will proceed to emphasize enforcement of the foundations that prohibit utilizing your helmet to make forcible contact together with your opponent.”
