The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.” The incident in question occurred on the third play from scrimmage against the Vikings on Sunday night, charging down from his safety position and leading with his helmet as he delivered a violent hit to Josh Dobbs’ head and neck area.

Jackson has been fined numerous times previously this season, as well as ejected from a game for illegal hits. His previous four-game suspension was reduced to two games upon appeal, before Sunday nights infraction. The play in question was not penalized in real time; and the suspensionfrom the NFL is a clear admission that the officials missed an obvious foul in the moment.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan said in a letter to Jackson: “With 13:38 remaining in the first quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules. The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Illegal acts that are flagrant and jeopardize the safety of players will not be tolerated. The League will continue to​ stress enforcement of the rules that prohibit using your helmet to make forcible contact with your ​opponent. 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.”

Editorial credit: Praveen Nanu / Shutterstock.com