Derwin James Jr. of Los Angeles Chargers to Sit Out Upcoming Game Against Kansas City Chiefs
Derwin James Jr. Suspended for One Game Following Rule Violations
Unnecessary Roughness Call Leads to Suspension
The NFL formally declared the suspension on Monday, subsequent to James receiving a penalty for unnecessary roughness during the third quarter of the recent Chargers vs. Steelers game. The contentious move involved a harsh hit on Pat Freiermuth, the tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, contributing to the Chargers’ 20-10 defeat.
Repeated Violations Result in Suspension
This penalty marks the seventh instance of James being called for unnecessary roughness in his professional career. This tally places him in a three-way tie with Marshon Lattimore and Jordan Poyer for the second-highest count in the NFL since 2018, with Xavier Woods leading with eight.
Appeal Denied: Suspension Upheld
James, a previous All-Pro, contested the suspension. However, NFL’s vice president of football and international communications, Michael Signora, confirmed the continuation of the suspension on Tuesday evening.
Implications of Repeated Rule Violations
In the official NFL announcement, a letter addressed to James by vice president of football operations Jon Runyan was included. The letter highlighted that James’ repetitive non-compliance with NFL rules is unacceptable. Runyan stressed the requirement for significant penalties when players consistently break rules, particularly those designed to safeguard player safety.
Potential Absences in Charger’s Lineup
In addition to James’ suspension, the Chargers might also face deficiencies in their lineup for Sunday’s game. Uncertainty surrounds the availability of quarterback Justin Herbert, due to an ankle injury, offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and outside linebacker Joey Bosa, who has a hip issue.
