Broncos safety Kareem Jackson ejected again for illegal hit،
DENVER – Kareem Jackson was ejected from a game for the second time this season during the Denver Broncos’ win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, with coach Sean Payton saying the safety’s “history” could have influenced the call.
Jackson was ejected with 13 minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the 19-17 victory for his hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.
He has been fined four times this season for unnecessary roughness – totaling $89,670 – and will likely face another fine and potentially a suspension given his repeat offender status.
“I think sometimes it’s hard to make those calls,” Payton said. “…I think what’s difficult for Kareem is that he has a history. You get pulled over and you speed four or five times, you’re going to spend a little bit more time on the sidelines. the road than if you didn’t have one. I wasn’t really surprised [at the penalty and the ejection].”
Musgrave caught an 18-yard pass from Jordan Love and, as linebacker Alex Singleton closed in, Jackson came in and threw Musgrave to the turf. Two flags were immediately thrown. After a brief discussion among the officials, referee Alex Kemp announced that Jackson had been ejected in addition to the 15-yard penalty.
Some Broncos players said they believed Jackson led with his shoulder and hit Musgrave slightly below the head and neck. Green Bay players on the sideline near the hit yelled at Jackson after the play as Packers coaches quickly put themselves between Jackson and the group.
Jackson was also ejected from a Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders after a hit on tight end Logan Thomas.
“I haven’t seen a really clear picture of it,” Payton said. “We just have to continue to find ways to keep our heads out of the main part of the shot. And he’s smart; he’s someone who wants to do the right thing.”
Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II said: “It’s tough. … From what I heard, it was a bang-bang play. Football is a physical game, that You like it or not. It’s just unfortunate. Kareem is a great player. He doesn’t do things intentionally. … It would obviously be a big blow to lose a guy like Kareem.”
The Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday, then have a bye week before a Nov. 13 game against the Buffalo Bills.
PJ Locke, who missed the first five games of the season with a leg injury, replaced Jackson in Sunday’s game and would likely be his replacement if Jackson were to be suspended.
Locke, who played 49 games for the Broncos over the past four seasons, intercepted Love with 1:40 left to end Green Bay’s game-winning drive.
“He made a heck of a play that not a lot of guys could make,” teammate Justin Simmons said of Locke. “…Our depth in the secondary is really strong. We tell guys all the time there can be no going down.”
