The NFL has taken action, suspending Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for four games without pay, following his involvement in another illegal hit to the head, which resulted in his second ejection of the season. This suspension means Jackson will endure a financial loss of approximately $589,000.
While some Broncos players contended that Jackson had led with his shoulder and struck Musgrave slightly below the head and neck area, Green Bay players on the sideline voiced their objections to Jackson’s hit, prompting quick intervention from Packers coaches.
“I know Kareem, I know his heart and I know the way he’s played,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said before the suspension announcement. “I think it’s an easy narrative to say, ‘Well he’s just an old-timer playing in a new-timer’s game.’ When you see the play, his head is removed from the forceable contact. Defenseless is a little bit more of an issue relative to the position the receiver’s in.”
“I just know where he’s at as a player. We’ll keep working on that. I know he’ll keep working on it. He’s someone that’s smart and really wants to do the right thing. It’s one of the toughest parts of our game for the officials, for the players, for all of us involved of getting that to where it’s clear and easy. Sometimes, it’s just not.”
Kareem Jackson’s four-game suspension is notably the longest for violating a player-safety rule since Vontaze Burfict (12 games) and Myles Garrett (six games) in 2019. Burfict was suspended for targeting, and Garrett for unsportsmanlike conduct following an incident involving a helmet-swing at Mason Rudolph.
Jackson will be eligible to rejoin the Broncos’ active roster on Monday, November 27, following the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Browns.
