ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos security Kareem Jackson has been suspended with out pay for 4 video games for repeated violations of participant security guidelines, the results of his first deal with since he returned from one other suspension.
Jackson lowered his helmet and hit Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs lower than two minutes into Sunday’s 21-20 Broncos win.
A 14-year veteran in his fifth season with the Broncos, Jackson was notified of his suspension Monday morning by NFL vice chairman of soccer operations Jon Runyan. Runyan mentioned within the letter, “on the play in query, you lowered your head and delivered a forceful blow to the shoulder and head/neck space of an opponent whenever you had time and house to keep away from such contact. You would have made contact together with your opponent throughout the guidelines, but you selected to not.”
Dobbs was a operating again on the play, as Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson took the snap from middle and pitched the ball to Dobbs, who ended up fumbling.
One of many NFL’s well being and security spotters on website directed Dobbs to endure a concussion test following the play. Dobbs was cleared and reentered the sport for Minnesota’s subsequent offensive collection.
Jackson, who was not penalized on the play, plans to enchantment the suspension, sources instructed ESPN on Monday evening. He had a four-game suspension diminished to 2 video games on enchantment earlier this season.
Jackson would forfeit $559,889 in wage if the present four-game suspension is upheld. He has been fined 4 occasions this season for pointless roughness for a complete of $89,670 and has been ejected from two video games.
He was suspended for 4 video games after his hit on Inexperienced Bay Packers tight finish Luke Musgrave in Week 7. After his enchantment diminished the suspension to 2 video games, he missed the Broncos’ Week 8 win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in addition to the crew’s Week 10 win over the Buffalo Payments and forfeited $279,000 of his base wage.
He returned in opposition to the Vikings, enjoying all 74 of the Broncos’ defensive snaps.
Following the sport, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was requested if he felt Jackson ought to have been penalized on the play.
“On the sector, it felt like that,” O’Connell mentioned. “I am going to have to return and take a look at it. It tends to occur fairly quick on the market, however within the second, coming from the second stage the best way he did, it appeared like a reasonably direct helmet-to-helmet sort hit. However I am positive [officials] noticed it in a different way on the play. They’re officiating a quick play proper there.”
Broncos coach Sean Payton mentioned Monday morning, a number of hours earlier than the NFL introduced the suspension, that he had spoken to Jackson and added, “There’s nothing you are able to do besides wait, and we’ll see the place it goes.”
Dobbs mentioned he “felt effective” after the hit and deferred to O’Connell on whether or not Jackson ought to have been penalized.
“I have never had an opportunity to look at it,” Dobbs mentioned after Sunday’s sport. “That is one thing I am going to try. I’ve received to maintain the soccer. Third-and-1, I am making an attempt to make a play, get the primary down, hold us on the sector, transfer the sticks. I am going to let the coaches and everybody else determine that stuff out with officiating. However on the finish of the day, I’ve received to maintain the soccer in that scenario, particularly to start out the sport.”
The Broncos are driving a four-game win streak and can face two different groups hoping to remain within the playoff race — the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans — over the following two weeks. The Broncos then play on the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 10 at SoFi Stadium and at Detroit Lions on both Dec. 16 or Dec. 17.
Jackson mentioned final week he had talked to league officers to hunt “readability” on tackling, together with the performs for which he had been penalized. After his earlier suspension, Jackson’s teammates have been fast to defend him, particularly security Justin Simmons, who took exception to the league’s letter to Jackson final month notifying him of the suspension in addition to the narrative that Jackson is a grimy participant primarily based on the fines and ejections.
“Even referring to the letter that was despatched to Kareem that, in so many phrases, known as him a grimy participant, that bothers me as a teammate,” Simmons mentioned on the time. “I’d not be half the participant I’m if it wasn’t for Kareem, if it wasn’t for the information he has bestowed upon me, each on and off the sector.
“The entire ‘soiled participant’ analogy we’re type of making an attempt to stay to his title and his status is, excuse my language, absolute bulls—.”
Simmons defended Jackson once more on social media Monday night after the suspension was introduced.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.