Derwin James Jr. of Chargers Suspended One Game for Safety Violations

LOS ANGELES — The NFL has announced that Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. has been suspended for one game without pay. This decision stems from “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” particularly referencing incidents from Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

James is set to appeal the suspension, as confirmed by a source. If the suspension is upheld, he will be eligible to return to the Chargers’ active roster on Monday, September 30, after missing the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 29.

During the game against the Steelers, James received a penalty for unnecessary roughness when he hit tight end Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter. This incident contributed to the Chargers’ 20-10 loss, drawing scrutiny from league officials.

A letter sent to James by Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, highlighted that video evidence indicated James lowered his head during the hit, leading to illegal forcible contact with his helmet—an action that could have been avoided.

Runyan stated, “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated.” He emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations and noted that repeated violations that pose significant injury risks to opponents warrant substantial penalties.

Since 2018, James has faced seven unnecessary roughness penalties, tying him with Marshon Lattimore and Jordan Poyer for the second most in the NFL, just behind Xavier Woods, who has eight penalties. This statistic is particularly notable considering that James has accumulated these penalties in fewer games; Sunday’s game marked just his 69th appearance, whereas Lattimore has played in 79 games, Woods in 92, and Poyer in 94.

In the wake of the game, James expressed his frustration regarding the penalty. “I’ve stopped asking officials what I could have done differently,” he mentioned. “I’ll look at the film and see if they send me a fine or whatever it is. I’m trying to get the guy to the ground and I don’t believe I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll examine it.”

James’ situation raises ongoing discussions about player safety and the enforcement of NFL rules designed to protect athletes on the field. As the league continues to address these issues, the consequences of James’ appeal and subsequent games will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.