EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that he was disappointed and disagreed with the NFL’s decision to suspend safety Derwin James Jr. for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
James was suspended for a hit to Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ 20-10 loss this past Sunday. James was flagged for unnecessary roughness during the game. Harbaugh said Freiermuth’s positioning caused James’ illegal hit.
“There was not a defenseless player; [he] changed his course, and I thought that Derwin’s helmet was stiff-armed by Mr. Freiermuth,” he said. “I thought [the stiff-arm] caused his head to make the contact and I thought the contact was first with the forearm, then the shoulder, then the head.”
Harbaugh said James’ tackle appeared to be precisely what the league is looking for in terms of taking “your head out of the game.”
“You can never really take the head out of the game because it’s in between the two shoulders,” he said. “Trying to tackle with the shoulder, now the head, and the helmets coming with it. It’s in between the two shoulders. So, to the best of his human ability, he is trying to do that.”
James has had seven unnecessary roughness penalties since he entered the NFL in 2018, the second most in the league in that span. Harbaugh said that James has made a concerted effort to avoid these penalties, often allowing extra yards in games because he braces before hits to avoid flags.
“He has reached out on his own to officials this past summer to gain a better grasp of how they want it done,” Harbaugh said. “And the evidence is right there in the tape. I mean, look at all his 20-some tackles on the season and he’s going out his way … so that he can not injure another player or hit him with the head. So yeah, I’m disappointed.”
Harbaugh said that James “genuinely doesn’t want to hurt anyone” and he wasn’t upset with his player.
In the NFL’s announcement, vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote that video shows James lowered his head on the hit, making illegal, forcible contact with his helmet that James could have avoided.
“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote. “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 appealed the suspension, but it was upheld by hearing officer Derrick Brooks, who is jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players’ Association.
The Chargers’ backup safeties include Elijah Molden and AJ Finley. Molden had an interception that earned him a game ball in the Chargers’ Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers.
News
Princess Anne ‘gave’ Meghan Markle: ‘It’s a job, not a means to fame’
Princess Anne once left Meghan Markle “dumbfounded” when the actress sought out the hardworking royal for advice early on in her royal career. The Princess Royal reportedly…
Meghan Markle Shares Her Feelings of Isolation as King Charles Supported Princess Kate but Refused to Back Her and Harry’s Dream Life
Meghan Markle Opens Up About Feeling Unsupported as King Charles Backed Princess Kate but Denied Her and Harry’s Dream Life In a recent interview, Meghan Markle shared…
Meghan Markle Ousted from WME by Ari Emanuel Amid Hollywood Feuds
In the intricate labyrinth of Hollywood, Meghan Markle’s journey has taken a dramatic turn. Recent insider reports reveal that Markle has been ousted from WME, a prestigious…
Americans find Meghan Markle ‘scary’ after truth revealed
Mixed Reactions to Harry and Meghan’s Netflix Series in the US and UK At the British-themed Tea and Sympathy cafe in New York’s West Village, tourists from…
Prince William is said to have banned the Sussexes from future royal events
Prince William Reportedly Bans Sussexes from Future Royal Events, Signaling a Growing Rift Within the Royal Family Reports are circulating that Prince William has banned Prince Harry…
“Harry really hasn’t figured out what he wants to do with his future yet.”
Royal Editor Russell Myers Opines: “Harry Really Hasn’t Figured Out What He Wants to Do with His Future Yet” In a recent discussion, royal editor Russell Myers…
End of content
No more pages to load