Jim Harbaugh is not pleased with Derwin James’ one-game suspension by the NFL.
James was suspended by the league on Monday for a hit to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss this past Sunday. He was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
“There was not a defenseless player; [he] changed his course, and I thought that Derwin’s helmet was stiff-armed by Mr. Freiermuth,” Harbaugh said. “I thought [the stiff-arm] caused his head to make the contact and I thought the contact was first with the forearm, then the shoulder, then the head.”
James’s appeal was upheld by hearing officer Derrick Brooks, who is jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players’ Association. As a result, he will miss this weekend’s game against the Chiefs.
James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his past 18 games, which are the most in the league by a defensive player. All were to the head with his shoulder or helmet.
Harbaugh said that James has made an effort to avoid these penalties.
“He has reached out on his own to officials this past summer to gain a better grasp of how they want it done,” he said. “And the evidence is right there in the tape. I mean, look at all his 20-some tackles on the season and he’s going out his way … so that he can not injure another player or hit him with the head. So yeah, I’m disappointed.”
While James is sidelined this weekend, Elijah Molden would be in line to start opposite Alohi Gilman. They also have AJ Finley and Tony Jefferson will likely be promoted from the practice squad.