The Los Angeles Chargers are likely to be without star safety Derwin James in their critical Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, following a one-game suspension handed down by the NFL on Monday night. The suspension comes as a result of James repeatedly violating the league’s player safety rules, with the most recent infraction occurring during the Chargers’ 20–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The incident in question took place in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium when James made helmet-to-helmet contact with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth while attempting to tackle him. The play, deemed a significant violation of safety regulations, drew swift attention from league officials.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations, Jon Runyan, issued a statement explaining the suspension. “During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game, you were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan stated in a letter to James, as shared by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “The video clearly shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent, and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”
Runyan continued, stressing that James’s repeated disregard for player safety rules would not be overlooked. “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.”
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James, who has built a reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic defensive players, has faced scrutiny for his aggressive style of play in the past. This latest incident only adds to the growing concern over his ability to play within the league’s safety guidelines. According to The Athletic, James is expected to appeal the NFL’s decision, though it remains uncertain if the suspension will be overturned or reduced before Sunday’s game.
In his seventh season with the Chargers, James has been a crucial part of the team’s defense. Through the first three games of the 2024 season, he has recorded 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit. Drafted by the Chargers with the 17th overall pick in 2018, James has established himself as one of the top safeties in the NFL, known for his physicality and ability to impact all phases of the game.
Losing James for the upcoming showdown against the Chiefs would be a significant blow to the Chargers’ defense, especially given Kansas City’s high-powered offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the AFC West always being a fiercely competitive division, every game carries considerable weight, and missing a key player like James could impact the Chargers’ ability to contain the Chiefs’ potent passing attack.
As the situation unfolds, the Chargers will be keeping a close eye on James’s appeal process, hoping for a favorable outcome that allows him to suit up for the pivotal divisional game.
However, if the suspension stands, the team will need to rely on its defensive depth to compensate for the absence of one of its most vital players.
