Chargers S Derwin James Suspended for Hit on Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. has been suspended one game by the NFL, the league announced on Monday for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.

James has been suspended for repeated violations of the league’s rule for head contact. He will miss one game without pay, as the Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.

James was penalized 15 yards in game for a blow to the head of Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in the Steelers 20-10 win over the Chargers Sunday. James lowered his head and made contact with the head of Freiermuth while he was running after a catch in the second half of Sunday’s game.

Here’s the hit that earned #Chargers S Derwin James a one-game suspension for repeat violations of the NFL’s safety rules.

“The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact. … Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated.” pic.twitter.com/2KUxc25zrm

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2024

Freiermuth, who has suffered multiple concussion over the course of his football career, did not appear to be injured on the play.

NFL vice president Jon Runyan announced the suspension in a letter to Derwin James that the league published.

“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,” Runyan wrote. “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.”

James has the right to appeal the suspension. 

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth at training camp on July 26, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now