Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. suspended one game for player safety violations

LOS ANGELES — The NFL on Monday suspended Los Angeles Chargers player Derwin James Jr. for one game without pay, citing “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

James will appeal the suspension, according to a source. If the suspension is upheld, James will be eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 30, after missing the team’s Sept. 29 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

James was penalized for unnecessary roughness he directed at Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ 20-10 loss.

In a letter to James included in the NFL’s announcement, vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote that the video shows James lowered his head on the hit, resulting in illegal forced contact with his helmet that could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL rules will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote. “Significant penalties are due when players repeatedly violate rules intended to protect player safety, especially when violations pose a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

James has been called for seven unnecessary roughness penalties in his career, tied with Marshon Lattimore and Jordan Poyer for second most in the NFL since 2018 (behind Xavier Woods, who has eight penalties).

However, James has taken those penalties in fewer games than the others: Sunday’s was his 69th since 2018, compared to 79 for Lattimore, 92 for Woods and 94 for Bowyer.

James said after Sunday’s game that he was frustrated by the decision and “stopped asking” officials what he could have done differently.

“I’ll watch the film and see if they sent me a fine or anything,” James said.

“I’m trying to get the guy to the ground. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck, but we’ll look into it,” he continued.