NFL suspends Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for four games

Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has been suspended for four games following his ejection Sunday for an illegal hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.

He is appealing the suspension, according to reports from both Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

“On the play in question, you delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver, when you had the time and space to avoid such contact,” NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan wrote in a notice to Jackson alerting him that he was being suspended. “You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.”

NFL suspended Broncos’ safety Kareem Jackson four games. This hit was involved. pic.twitter.com/ZXnU8jyfSI

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2023

It was his second ejection of the season. He has also been fined four times for unnecessary violence, meaning the suspension comes with the notion of Jackson as a repeat offender.

His previous ejection had come in the second week of the season

“I think what’s difficult for Kareem is he’s got some priors,” head coach Sean Payton said after Sunday’s game about the ejection, via ESPN. “You get pulled over and you’ve had four or five speeding violations, you’re going to spend a little bit more time on the side of the road than if you didn’t have any. I wasn’t real surprised.”

Jackson is in his 14th season in the NFL and fifth with the Broncos. He has 42 tackles on the season with three passes defended and two interceptions. His 42 tackles are third-best on the team while his team picks are the most of any player on Denver so far this season.

He had five tackles in the 19-17 win Sunday before his ejection. It was just the second victory of the season for the Broncos.

“Kareem’s a tremendous player and he doesn’t do things intentionally,” cornerback Pat Surtain II said after the game. “He always puts the extra effort in to make a play. It’s unfortunate to see them make that call, but I know Kareem as a player and that’s just him. He’s physical all around, he gives tremendous effort out there.”

If the suspension is upheld, Jackson will not be able to play again until Denver takes on the Houston Texans on Dec. 3. The Broncos play the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend before going on bye. They return from their week off with an away game versus the Buffalo Bills and then home games versus the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.