Chargers’ Safety Derwin James Suspended For One Game

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said in a statement, explaining that James has had multiple offenses for personal fouls in previous years. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

Here is a clip of the hit on Freiermuth.

Chargers’ Safety Derwin James Suspended For One Game

James has been called for seven unnecessary roughness penalties in his career. After the game Sunday, James said he was frustrated by the call and has “stopped asking” officials what he could have done differently. “I’ll look at the film and see if they sent me a fine or whatever it is,” James said. He continued, “I’m trying to get the guy to the ground. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll look at it.”

James will appeal the suspension. If the suspension is upheld then he will miss the Week 4 game against division rival Kansas City Chiefs. Derwin is eligible to return on Monday, Sept. 30 ahead of the Chargers’ Week 5 bye.