The NFL announced that Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended one game on Monday for “repeated violations of playing rules designed to protect the health and safety of players.”
The one-game unpaid suspension stems from James' hard helmet contact with Pittsburgh tight end Pat Friarmuth during Sunday's Chargers-Steelers game, which was ruled unnecessary roughness.
But the league went a step further by handing down the suspension.
NFL vice president of football operations John Runyan released a strongly worded statement saying such behavior “will not be tolerated.”
“During the third quarter of Sunday's game between the Chargers and Steelers, you were involved in what the league deemed to be a serious violation of playing rules,” Runyan said. “Video of the play shows you lowering your head and forcibly making contact with Steelers tight end Pat Friarmuth. Your path to the opposing player was unobstructed and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”
“Continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Repeated violations of rules designed to protect player safety will result in significant discipline, especially when those violations pose a risk of serious injury to opposing players.”
The suspension marks the first of James' career. The NFL Network reported. Safety officials will sue over it.
If the suspension is upheld, James could miss the Chargers' Week 4 game against the Chiefs and would not be able to return until Sept. 30.
Los Angeles is already dealing with a slew of injuries, including potentially Justin Herbert, and this latest injury would be yet another blow to the Chargers.
James is coming off a session in which he recorded a career-high 125 tackles, two sacks, one interception and seven pass deflections.
