Broncos' Kareem Jackson has suspension reduced after appeal
The NFL sent a big message to Denver Broncos defensive back Kareem Jackson that it was not going to tolerate his illegal hits and suspended him for four games after his latest ejection on Sunday.
The league announced on Tuesday, however, that it has reduced that suspension to two games after an appeal by Jackson.
That appeal was heard by Derrick Brooks.
The NFL seemed to initially get it right with original suspension. Jackson had already been fined close to $90K this season and been ejected twice for a series of illegal and unnecessary hits.
It was pretty clear that ejections and reduced paychecks were not getting the message across and that something more significant was going to need to be done.
The four game ban seemed appropriate given the frequency of the hits and fines.
It would be very interesting to hear what Jackson's defense was in the appeal and what prompted Brooks to soften the suspension.
With Jackson's suspension now down to two games he will be eligible to return to the Broncos lineup on Nov. 19 against the Minnesota Vikings. He will miss their next two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
Jackson has always been one of the league's biggest hitters, but the NFL has dramatically changed in recent years with what is acceptable and not acceptable physically.
Players will need to adjust if they are going to remain useful players. Jackson has not shown an ability or willingness to adjust.
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