NFL suspends Canadian player for striking opponent

Photo courtesy: Brevin Townsell/Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Alaric Jackson has been suspended two games by the NFL, it was announced on Tuesday.

Shortly after Monday’s game between the Rams and Buffalo Bills, television cameras captured footage of Jackson striking Buffalo Bills defender Bradley Chubb. The incident occurred while postgame media scrums were still ongoing.

“After the game, as players were shaking hands and exchanging jerseys, Jackson struck Buffalo linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after a brief confrontation,” wrote the league in a statement.

“(This violated) rule 12, section 3, article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”

The six-foot-seven, 338-pound blocker can appeal the suspension. As it currently stands, he will miss his team’s upcoming games against the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.

This marks the second time that Jackson has been suspended since he entered the league in 2021.

In 2024, he was suspended two games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. It was later revealed that the suspension stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleged Jackson had recorded sexual acts on his phone without her consent.

The 28-year-old was also arrested in June under suspicion of felony domestic battery. The NFL has yet to determine if he’ll face supplemental discipline. None of the allegations against Jackson have been tested in court.

The native of Windsor, Ont., who also spent part of his childhood in Detroit, Mich., has played 62 career regular-season games with the Rams, and made 56 starts. He starts for Los Angeles at left tackle, and was part of the team that won Super Bowl LVI.

According to Spotrac, Jackson has earned $45.5 million over the course of his NFL career.

The University of Iowa product’s exclusive CFL rights belong to the B.C. Lions, though it seems unlikely that he’ll play professionally in Canada at this point of his career.

Los Angeles lost to the Bills by a score of 37-34 on Monday night in overtime. After opening the regular-season as Super Bowl favourites, the team is now 2-3 on the year.