The NFL has reduced Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension from two games to one following an appeal, league spokesman Michael Signora confirmed on Wednesday. Jackson was originally suspended for striking Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after the Bills’ 37-34 overtime victory over the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Monday night.
Jackson must now serve his one-game suspension during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals and is eligible to return for the Rams’ Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 25. The suspension reduction was decided by hearing officer Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
The Rams confirmed that offensive lineman David Quessenberry will start in Jackson’s place against the Cardinals. Additionally, the team has begun the 21-day window for rookie Keagen Trost to return from injured reserve.
Postgame Altercation Details
Jackson removed his jersey and shoulder pads before approaching the postgame handshake line, where he threw a punch at Chubb. Jackson later stated that Chubb had made sexually degrading remarks about his mother during the game, though Chubb did not retaliate. Chubb told reporters postgame, “They always catch the second guy, so I let him swing, and then my teammates held me back, and I just chilled.”
The NFL’s official suspension statement did not address the alleged remarks but confirmed the punching incident as the basis for Jackson’s discipline. The league has not publicly disclosed whether the alleged comments were considered in the appeal process.
Financial and Competitive Impact
Jackson’s suspension reduction saves him an estimated $934,555 in lost salary, as his two-game suspension would have cost him two game checks from his $16.8 million base salary. The one-game suspension limits his financial penalty to a single missed paycheck.
The Rams, currently 2-4 on the season, will face the Cardinals without Jackson, a key offensive lineman, in a critical divisional matchup. His return for Week 7 could provide a boost to the team’s offensive line stability.
League Discipline Process
The NFL’s appeal process allows players to challenge suspensions through a hearing officer, in this case Derrick Brooks, a former NFL linebacker and Hall of Famer. The reduction from two games to one suggests the hearing officer found mitigating factors or deemed the original punishment excessive based on the league’s guidelines for player conduct violations.
The NFL has not released a detailed rationale for the reduction, and the league’s communications office did not respond to requests for further comment beyond the initial confirmation of the decision.
Rams’ Response and Next Steps
Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated on Tuesday that the team was preparing for Quessenberry to start in Jackson’s absence. The organization has not publicly addressed the incident beyond acknowledging the suspension reduction.
Jackson’s legal team, which filed the appeal, has not commented on the decision or the underlying allegations. The Rams’ front office has not indicated whether additional internal disciplinary measures will be taken beyond the NFL suspension.