LOS ANGELES — In a surprising turn of events, Derwin James Jr., safety for the Los Angeles Chargers, has been suspended for one game without pay by the NFL.

The league cited “repeated violations of playing rules” designed to protect player health and safety, particularly referencing a controversial play during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

An insider disclosed that James plans to appeal the suspension, a move that might allow him to return to the Chargers' active roster on September 30, just in time for the high-stakes game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 29.

The Incident

The incident in question occurred when James was penalized for unnecessary roughness after delivering a hit to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter of their 20-10 loss.

Video evidence reviewed by NFL officials showed that James lowered his head during the impact, making illegal contact with his helmet—a decision that could have been easily avoided, according to league vice president of football operations Jon Runyan.

NFL's Response

In a stern letter addressed to James, Runyan emphasized, “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

James' Penalty Record

Notably, James has been flagged for a total of seven unnecessary roughness penalties over the course of his career, tying him with fellow players Marshon Lattimore and Jordan Poyer for the second-most in the NFL since 2018.

Interestingly, while he shares this dubious distinction, James has accumulated these penalties in significantly fewer games—Sunday marked his 69th game, while Lattimore has played in 79, and both Woods and Poyer have seen action in 92 and 94 games, respectively.

James’ Reaction

Reflecting on the latest penalty, James expressed his frustrations post-game, stating he has “stopped asking” officials for clarification on what he could do differently.

“I’ll look at the film and see if they sent me a fine or whatever it is,” he remarked. “I’m trying to get the guy to the ground. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll look at it.”

Conclusion

With player safety becoming an even more pressing concern in the NFL, the league is on high alert for actions that might endanger athletes on the field. Will James succeed in overturning his suspension? Fans will be closely watching this unfolding drama as the Chargers prepare for their next game.