Derwin James suspension: Derrick Brooks makes final call on appeal

The NFL has upheld Derwin James’ suspension after an appeal, the league announced. Derrick Brooks served as the hearing officer and made the final call.

James’ suspension stemmed from Sunday’s game against the Steelers when he laid a hit on tight end Pat Freiermuth. The NFL then announced his suspension for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” and he filed an appeal of the decision.

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Brooks – who, like James, played at Florida State – made his final decision Tuesday night. That means James will not be able to play in this week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs as a result of the suspension.

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, sent a letter to James to inform him of the suspension. It explained the reasoning behind the suspension and said video evidence supported the decision.

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“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” the letter read. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

Derwin James addressed the hit on Freiermuth after the game. He said he didn’t think the hit went to the head or neck area, but it was for the review to determine.

“Of course [it was frustrating],” James said. “Like I said, I don’t want to keep the driver going. I’m trying to get the guy on the ground. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll look at it.”

James is in his seventh season with the Chargers and is coming off a strong year in 2023. He had 125 tackles, two sacks and an interception as he anchored the Los Angeles defense. That came after a second team All-Pro selection in 2022 when he totaled 115 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions.

Through three games this season, James picked up where he left off. He has 21 tackles and a sack, although he’ll miss the fourth game of the year this week against Kansas City.