Why was the Broncos’ Kareem Jackson suspended for 4 games after returning from a 4 game suspension?
It’s hard to believe that the Broncos’ safety learned a lesson after his last suspension especially now that he’s been suspended again for the very same thing.
Having already developed a reputation for illegal hits, one has to wonder if the former first-round pick out of Houston can change his ways, or if this is a habit that will continue to hurt both his career and his team’s hopes.
Broncos’ Kareem Jackson suspended one more time
According to an announcement from the NFL on Monday, Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has been suspended once again, and this time for the duration of four games. The suspension comes as a result of repeated violations of the player safety rules. Regarding the play in question, it was during the first quarter of the “Sunday Night Football” game against the Minnesota Vikings, when Jackson hit the Vikings’ quarterback Josh Dobbs. This is the second suspension that Jackson has received this season. It’s worth noting that Jackson is in fact appealing the suspension, something he did following his last four-game suspension which resulted in the time being reduced to two games.
Does Kareem Jackson have a problem?
While it would be unfair to assume that Jackson has an issue when it comes to rules, it would be fair to say that it certainly looks that way. Consider for a moment that the 35-year-old returned to the team on Sunday following the above-mentioned two-game suspension which he received for similar hits. Indeed, a closer look at Sunday’s play does seem to show that the Broncos’ safety lowered his head before making an impact with Dobb’s chest, something that is simply not OK. To that end, it would appear that the NFL’s decision to suspend him for four games is fair.
What’s been the response to Kareem Jackson’s actions?
Again, the specific hit in question resulted in Dobbs fumbling the ball which was eventually recovered by the Broncos’ defense. Following the game, one which the Broncos won 21-20, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that he believed Jackson should have been penalized for the hit that resulted in the loss of possession. “On the field, it felt like that,” O’Connell said when asked postgame if Jackson should’ve been flagged on the play. “I’ll have to go back and look at it. It tends to happen pretty fast out there, but in the moment, coming from the second level the way he did, it seemed like a pretty direct helmet-to-helmet type hit. But I’m sure [officials] saw it differently on the play. They’re officiating a fast play right there.”
Where Dobbs is concerned, the 28-year-old signal caller was given a review by trainers in the blue medical tent immediately after the hit and was given the all-clear to continue. Postgame, the quarterback said he “felt fine” before speaking to the idea that he needs to take better care of the football going forward. Keep in mind, that the turnover resulted in the Broncos being able to add three points courtesy of a 31-yard field goal from Will Lutz. Regarding Jackson, the Broncos will need to have a chat with their player. On the season so far, he has been fined four times, ejected twice, and now faces his second suspension. It goes without saying that with a reputation like that, he will be under increased scrutiny. That’s all to say that with a record of 5-5 record, this is not the ideal time to be losing players especially when it’s for disciplinary reasons. As for the four games that Jackson will miss, they are against the Browns, Texans, Chargers, and Lions.