NFL suspends Chargers' Pro Bowl safety Derwin James for one game

The NFL penalized Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James.

James has been suspended for one game without pay for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, the NFL announced Monday.

James’ most recent infraction occurred during the third quarter of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when the safety lowered his head and made what the NFL deemed as “forcible contact” to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.

James was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.

The three-time Pro Bowler was called for multiple unnecessary roughness penalties last season.

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“You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said in a letter to James. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. 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.”

The two-time NFL All-Pro has 21 tackles this year. He’s tallied at least 115 tackles in each of the past three seasons.

James is eligible to return on Monday, Sept. 30, following the Chargers’ Week 4 AFC West showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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James is expected to appeal his one-game suspension, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the matter.

The Chargers could be without several key players in Week 4. The Chargers left their Pittsburgh loss battered and bruised. Quarterback Justin Herbert reaggravated his ankle injury, left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a pectoral injury, rookie right tackle Joe Alt injured his knee and outside linebacker Joey Bosa sustained a hip injury in the defeat.

The Chargers have a Week 5 bye.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.