The NFL has reduced Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension from two games to one after he appealed the penalty for punching Buffalo Bills edge rusher Bradley Chubb following a game Monday night. NFL hearing officer Derrick Brooks issued the decision Wednesday, according to the source material.
The incident took place at SoFi Stadium after Buffalo defeated Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime. The league said Jackson struck Chubb in the face during a brief confrontation as players exchanged handshakes and jerseys. The NFL cited its sportsmanship rule, which prohibits conduct contrary to generally understood principles of sportsmanship.
Jackson had taken off his jersey and shoulder pads before joining the postgame handshake line, the source reported. He later said Chubb had made sexually degrading remarks about Jackson’s mother during the game. The supplied account does not indicate that the league’s suspension statement addressed Jackson’s explanation.
Chubb did not strike back. In remarks after the game, he said he let Jackson swing and that teammates restrained him before he settled down.
The reduction means Jackson will miss one game rather than two. He is scheduled to sit out Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals and is eligible to return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The appeal also reduces the financial impact: the source estimated Jackson would forfeit $934,555 under the one-game suspension, compared with two game checks under the original penalty. His listed base salary is $16.8 million.
The ruling follows earlier league discipline involving Jackson. The NFL suspended him for the first two games of the 2024 season under its Personal Conduct Policy in connection with unconsented phone recordings. The source also reported that Jackson entered a diversion program after a June arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. The supplied material does not provide further details about that matter.
