Inside The Vikings

Broncos' Kareem Jackson Suspended 4 Games For Hit on Josh Dobbs

Jackson was not penalized in real time for the illegal hit on a critical early play.
Will Ragatz|
Broncos' Kareem Jackson Suspended 4 Games For Hit on Josh Dobbs
Broncos' Kareem Jackson Suspended 4 Games For Hit on Josh Dobbs

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Minnesota Vikings

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has been suspended 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."

Jackson had previously been fined numerous times and ejected from a game for illegal hits this season. He had a previous four-game suspension reduced to two games upon appeal. And then he did it again on just 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.

The play, which resulted in a Dobbs fumble that the Broncos recovered, was not penalized in real time. This decision from the NFL is a clear admission that the officials missed an obvious foul in the moment.

Here's what 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."

Jackson will presumably appeal once again.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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