NFL reduces suspension of Rams' Alaric Jackson in surprising twist

When the Los Angeles Rams found out starting left tackle Alaric Jackson was given a two-game suspension for his postgame punch toward Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb, they knew he was going to appeal it.

That appeal ended up being a smart decision.

Alaric Jackson suspension reduced by NFL

The NFL's hearing officer, Derrick Brooks, heard Jackson's appeal and decided on Wednesday night to reduce it to just a single game.

That means Jackson will only miss this Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals and will only lose $934,555 in salary, instead of the nearly $2 million he would have lost under a two-game suspension.

Jackson and Chubb were initially involved in a verbal altercation shortly after the Bills' 37-34 overtime win on Monday night. That rapidly escalated into Jackson throwing a punch at Chubb.

Chubb said on Wednesday that he originally initiated the conversation with Jackson, via ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

"I've heard I was talking about his mom," Chubb said. "That's not true at all. I said: 'We're gonna see y'all's a-s again. And when we see you again, all that chipping ain't gonna save you. That tight end and guard is not going to save you.' He said, 'What'd you say?' I said, 'That chip's not gonna save you. The guard's not gonna save you.' And then boom..

"We're going to learn from it. Me personally, I learned I'm either going to have my hands up or wear a helmet."

Chubb added that he hadn't communicated with Jackson since their run-in.

Regardless of who (or what) started it, it is still a little surprising that the NFL actually reduced the suspension.

The league typically does not cut suspensions, and Jackson has already been suspended one other time during his NFL career. He missed two games during the 2024 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. 

What makes it even more surprising is this was not something that happened within the context of the game. This was well beyond the game of football and happened after the game ended. Things like that probably deserve an even harsher punishment than something that happens during the context of a game. 

Whatever argument Jackson made in his defense, Brooks and the NFL obviously bought it. At least partially.