Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has been suspended without pay for four games for repeat violations of player safety rules.
The hit took place in Sunday night’s Vikings-Broncos Sunday Night Football game, which was Jackson’s first game back from a previous suspension for the same offense.
Jackson lowered his helmet and hit Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs less than two minutes into Sunday’s 21-20 Broncos win.
Jackson, a 14-year veteran in his fifth season with the Broncos, was notified of the suspension on Monday by NFL VP of football oerpations Jon Runyan.
Runyan said in the letter:
“On the play in question, you lowered your head and delivered a forceful blow to the shoulder and head/neck area of an opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact. You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.”
Jackson was not penalized on the play and plans on appealing the suspension, according to ESPN. He had a four-game suspension reduced to two games on appeal earlier in the season.
Jackson would forfeit $559,889 in salary if the current four-game suspension is upheld. He has been fined four times this season for unnecessary roughness for a total of $89,670 and has been ejected from two games.
