Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson’s four-game suspension for his hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs stood firm after an unsuccessful appeal on Tuesday. The hearing officer, Derrick Brooks, appointed jointly by the NFL and NFL Players Association, chose not to reduce the suspension despite Jackson’s appeal. This means Jackson will be sidelined for games against the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions, only becoming eligible to return in Week 16 for a Christmas Eve matchup against the New England Patriots.
This wasn’t the first time Jackson faced suspension this season. Earlier, he had a four-game suspension reduced to two games on appeal. However, his return to the field against the Vikings marked his first game after serving that initial suspension.
The incident leading to Jackson’s suspension occurred less than two minutes into the game against the Vikings. He lowered his helmet and delivered a forceful blow to Dobbs, who was playing as a running back. Despite a fumble and a subsequent concussion check, Dobbs was cleared to reenter the game.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan notified Jackson of his suspension, stating in the letter that on the particular play, Jackson chose not to avoid forceful contact when he had time and space to do so. With the four-game suspension upheld, Jackson will forfeit $559,889 in salary. Additionally, he has already been fined four times this season for unnecessary roughness, totaling $89,670, and has been ejected from two games.
Jackson, a 14-year veteran in his fifth season with the Broncos, sought “clarity” from league officials on tackling rules last week. Despite his penalties and ejections, Jackson’s teammates, especially safety Justin Simmons, defended him, challenging the narrative that he is a dirty player.
