Chargers star Derwin James suspended for 1 game for violating NFL safety rules with helmet tackle

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James has been suspended one game without pay for repeatedly violating player safety rules, the league announced Monday night.

The suspension came after James struck Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in the head with his helmet while attempting to make a tackle during their 20-10 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The infraction, the league said, is one of several James has committed recently.

James attempted to tackle Freiermuth in the third quarter, but he lowered his helmet and made direct helmet-to-helmet contact with Freiermuth, taking him down. He was assessed a penalty.

James had an “unobstructed route” to tackle Freiermuth, the NFL said, and his illegal contact “could have been avoided.”

James had eight total tackles and a sack in Saturday’s 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old is in his seventh season in the league this fall. He had a career-high 125 tackles and an interception last season. James has been penalized twice so far this season, the first coming earlier against the Steelers when he was given a facemask penalty. He had seven penalties last season, four of which were for unnecessary roughness.

James is expected to appeal the suspension, and if it stands, he will miss their game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Chargers enter that game with a 2-1 record after Sunday’s loss in Pittsburgh. They opened the season with wins over both the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, but quarterback Justin Herbert left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. His status for their game against the Chiefs is unknown.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, are a perfect 3-0 record after picking up another win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.