Following an appeal, the NFL has decreased Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension from two games to one after he struck Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face.
The league disclosed the ruling on Wednesday. Derrick Brooks, an appeals officer selected jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, made the determination to shorten the ban. An official explanation for the choice was not given.
While Jackson remains sidelined for Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, he is now set to return for the Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Reserve lineman David Quessenberry is expected to step into the starting lineup this weekend. Although Quessenberry boasts 30 career NFL starts, he has not started a game since his stint with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2023 campaign.
Chubb discloses his comments that provoked Jackson
On Tuesday, the league originally handed Jackson a two-game penalty, shortly after video surfaced showing him striking Chubb in the face on the field at SoFi Stadium following “Monday Night Football.” Chubb and the Bills defeated Jackson’s Rams 37-34 in a thrilling overtime battle in Los Angeles.
Jackson was in the process of swapping jerseys with an opponent when Chubb began taunting him.
Chubb subsequently turned and strode away. Jackson pursued Chubb, leading to a verbal confrontation between the two. Jackson then struck Chubb in the face before Chubb’s teammates intervened to pull him clear.
During the Bills’ practice session on Wednesday, Chubb shared his perspective on the exchange with Jackson. As reported by ESPN:
“I’ll share precisely what I stated,” Chubb informed journalists. “Rumors claimed I mentioned his mother, but that is entirely false.
“I told him, ‘We’ll cross paths with you guys again. And next time we meet, those chip blocks aren’t going to rescue you. That tight end and guard won’t protect you.’
“He asked, ‘What did you say?’ I replied, ‘That chipping won’t save you. The guard won’t save you.’ And right after that, boom.”
Jackson has not yet addressed the physical altercation or his suspension publicly.
The defeat on Monday lowered the Rams—considered Super Bowl contenders prior to the season—to a 2-3 record. Losing their key offensive lineman to a suspension added to a challenging year, though Wednesday’s appeal victory somewhat tempered the setback.
Los Angeles aims to regain momentum through an upcoming stretch featuring manageable matchups against the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers, Commanders, and Cardinals a second time, leading up to their Week 11 bye week.
