NFL suspends Broncos' Kareem Jackson 4 games after 2nd ejection for illegal high hit this season

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The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games in the wake of his second ejection, which occurred Sunday in a win over the Green Bay Packers.

Jackson has been a hot topic early this season as he’s been flagged three times and ejected twice for illegal hits that have been high on opposing receivers.

Jackson will appeal his suspension.

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Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos reacts after being penalized on a play in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High on October 22, 2023, in Denver. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan made the announcement of the suspension on Monday, which comes a day after Jackson was ejected for a hit on Packers rookie tight end Luke Musgrave.

"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," a statement by Runyan reads. "You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you choose not to."

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On the play, Musgrave caught a pass from quarterback Jordan Love, and his footing was shaky as he went to turn around to see where any Broncos defenders were. There was Jackson flying in to make the tackle, and he could be seen leading with his shoulder as he lit up Musgrave directly on his facemask. 

The NFL noted Jackson as a repeated offender of this, citing Section 2, Article 9 (b)(1) of its rule book.

"It is a foul if a player forcibly hits the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him," the rule reads.

Jackson broke that rule in Week 2 when he was ejected against the Washington Commanders on a hit that looked worse than the one to Musgrave. 

Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos runs across the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Tight end Logan Thomas was still in the air when Jackson made contact with his helmet after Thomas hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Howell. He managed to hold on for the score, but Jackson was thrown out of the game for lowering his helmet and launching himself into Thomas.

Jackson was docked a $19,669 fine for his hit on Thomas, though he wasn’t suspended for it. He was also fined in Week 1 for his helmet-to-helmet contact on Las Vegas Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers, but the referees didn’t issue an ejection.

The NFL has been tightening its rule book when it comes to head injuries, and a repeat offender like Jackson is clearly someone they won’t tolerate.

If Jackson’s suspension holds up, the Broncos will likely have to rely on backup Delarrin Turner-Yell to take his place.

Jackson, 35, is in his 14th NFL season after being selected 20th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent nine seasons in Houston before joining Denver for the 2019 season.

Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, October 1, 2023, in Chicago. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

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He’s been starting for the Broncos at safety since that year, totaling 384 combined tackles, 24 passes defended, six interceptions and four fumble recoveries.