Disciplinary Action
Kareem Jackson suspended for defenseless receiver hit, appeal cut from 4 to 2 games
Kareem Jackson’s fifth unnecessary roughness sanction of this season is a multigame suspension
As announced by the league, the suspension of Kareem Jackson was reduced by appeals officer Derrick Brooks from 4 games to 2.
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was suspended for 4 games for a defenseless receiver hit after he was assessed multiple fines this season for unnecessary roughness. After this hit Jackson’s was ejected for the second time this season, the first player to be ejected multiple times in 2023 and only the third player to do so in the last 30 seasons.
There is an automatic expedited appeal for suspensions, but past practice shows that it’s likely some form of suspension will stay. The appeal will be looked at by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash (both former players), appeals officers appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
Per the NFL, Kareem Jackson has been fined $89,670 for 4 offenses in Weeks 1-6 for conduct similar to unnecessary roughness. He is a repeat offender for illegal hits, so this suspension is not a surprise.
Jackson will join a continually growing list of players who have been suspended more than one game from an infraction that occurred on the field, assuming his suspension is upheld. The 2-game suspension includes the home game against the Chiefs, the bye week, and a game at the Bills.
Multiple-game suspensions of NFL players for game infractions
| Player | Team | Season | Suspension | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vontaze Burfict | OAK | 2019 | 12 games* | flagrant lowering helmet to initiate contact, numerous past infractions in a continuous span (ejected) |
| Myles Garrett | CLE | 2019 | 6 games* | removing a player’s helmet and using it as a weapon (ejected) |
| Albert Haynesworth | TEN | 2005 | 5 games | stepping on face of prone, helmetless player (ejected) |
| Vontaze Burfict | CIN | 2017 | 3 games‡ | preseason blindside block/unnecessary roughness with prior suspendable infractions (no penalty) |
| Vontaze Burfict | CIN | 2015† | 3 games | AFC WILD CARD multiple infractions of defenseless player hits (no penalty) |
| Kareem Jackson | DEN | 2023 | 2 games‡ | flagrant defenseless receiver hit, second ejectable offense of season (ejected) |
| Javon Wims | CHI | 2020 | 2 games | punching an opponent (ejected) |
| Maurkice Pouncey | PIT | 2019 | 2 games‡ | punching and kicking (ejected) |
| Brandon Meriweather | WAS | 2014† | 2 games | preseason defenseless player hit, multiple prior illegal hits (prior suspension reduced 2 to 1 game on appeal) |
| Ndamukong Suh | DET | 2011 | 2 games | stomped on prone player (ejected) |
| Charles Martin | GB | 1986 | 2 games | slamming quarterback long after pass thrown (ejected) |
| Antonio Smith | HOU | 2013 | 1+ game§ | preseason using a helmet as a weapon, but no contact (no penalty) |
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*Remainder of the season, including postseason (neither team made playoffs). |
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