The NFL on Monday suspended Los Angeles Chargers star safety Derwin James Jr. for one game without pay for “repeated violations of playing rules designed to protect the health and safety of players.”
The league determined James' hit on tight end Pat Friarmouth was a foul after reviewing video of Sunday's game between the Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL vice president of football operations John Runyan cited Rule 12.2.10(a) of the rules, which states: “A foul is called when a player lowers his head and makes forceful helmet contact with an opposing player.”
The hit on Friarmouth came in the third quarter, when James made the catch and then threw himself at the tight end, helmet led, resulting in a foul.
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Friarmuth (88) runs after the catch while being tackled by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (bottom) and safety Alohi Gilman (32) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won the game 20-10. (Charles LeClair Iman Images)
“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 wrote in a letter to James. “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 significant risk of injury to opposing players.”
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NFL Network reported that James plans to exercise his right to appeal the suspension, which, if successful, would mean he would miss the AFC West tie against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.
After the game, James was asked about the unnecessary roughness call and said he didn't think he should have been penalized at the time.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 20-10. (Charles LeClair Iman Images)
“I'm not going to continue the attack,” he told reporters. “I'm trying to take him to the ground. I don't think I hit him in the head or neck, but we'll look at it.”
James is no stranger to NFL discipline, having been fined five times in six seasons, all for unnecessary roughness, but this suspension marks the first of his career.
James is a key piece to the Chargers' defense, so his absence will be missed by coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the team.
Although the team suffered its first loss of the season to the Steelers, James finished the game with eight sacks (including two for loss), marking his first of the 2024 season.
Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James Jr. (No. 3) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 22, 2024. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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James has recorded 21 total tackles through the first three games this season.
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