NFL denies Kareem Jackson appeal; will serve full suspension
This time, the appeal did not go well for Kareem Jackson.
The NFL declined his request to have the four-game suspension shortened, which means he will have to serve the entire sentence and will not be eligible to play again until the Broncos’ Christmas Eve game against the New England Patriots.
Jackson will thus miss the most crucial stretch of the season in determining the Broncos’ fate as they attempt to return to the playoffs after a seven-year absence. Over the next four weeks, Denver will face Cleveland, Houston, the Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit. The Broncos are now in a wild-card race with Cleveland and Houston, while the Chargers are on the outside looking in following some recent losses. Meanwhile, Detroit is the best club left on the Broncos’ schedule, with an 8-2 record that ranks second in the NFL.
Early Tuesday, Jackson uploaded a video of former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady discussing the status of the sport, particularly how rule changes have allowed “bad habits” to creep in.
Of course, Kareem Jackson violated NFL rules regarding hits, particularly those involving helmet lowering. Even though he was not penalized for his hit on Josh Dobbs on Sunday night, the NFL decided to punish him with a four-game ban for the hit, which occurred just three snaps into his return from a two-game suspension.
Jackson’s previous suspension was initially four games, but NFL hearing officer Derrick Brooks halved it upon Jackson’s Oct. 24 appeal.
But this time, no such grace came Jackson’s way.
If P.J. Locke is available, he is anticipated to start in Jackson’s place against the Browns on Sunday. If not, the Broncos will almost certainly turn to second-year safety Delarrin Turner-Yell or rookie JL Skinner. Turner-Yell appeared in two games this season. Skinner made his regular-season debut on special teams on Sunday night.
