The NFL has suspended Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson for two games without pay after he struck Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb following a Monday night loss.
The NFL has officially suspended Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson for two games without pay. The penalty stems from an incident following the Rams' 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, Oct. 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium.
According to the NFL, Jackson violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." The league stated in a release that "After the game, as players were shaking hands and exchanging jerseys, Jackson struck Buffalo linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after a brief confrontation."
Reports from NBC Sports and the Associated Press indicate that Jackson was exchanging jerseys with Bills defensive lineman Deone Walker when Chubb appeared to say something to him. Jackson then punched Chubb, knocking his hat off, before Rams tight end Colby Parkinson pulled him away. Chubb described the situation after the game as "just emotions."
Jackson is set to miss the Rams' upcoming games against the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders. He has the right to appeal the decision. If he appeals, the case will be heard by one of four designated former players or coaches: Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash.
The suspension leaves quarterback Matthew Stafford without his primary blind-side protector for two weeks. Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Tuesday that veteran David Quessenberry will start at left tackle in Jackson's absence.
Quessenberry, 36, has limited recent game time. According to the Associated Press, he has played just 128 offensive snaps over the past two seasons, including only 10 last year. He has not started a game since the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings. Another option, rookie Keagen Trost, has been on injured reserve since the start of the season with a hamstring problem. McVay noted that Trost is expected to return to practice this week and could potentially be activated.
This marks the second suspension of Jackson's career. In 2024, he served a two-game suspension for an unspecified violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. That penalty followed a civil lawsuit in which a woman alleged Jackson recorded sexual acts with her without consent. The lawsuit was dismissed.
Jackson also faced legal scrutiny earlier this year. On June 9, 2026, he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence involving an incident in the San Fernando Valley. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and the City Attorney declined to file formal criminal charges, and the case was assigned a prefiling diversion. The NFL has not yet announced a decision regarding potential discipline for that specific incident.
Jackson is a key component of the Rams' offensive line, having started all five games this season and 56 of 62 games since joining the team in 2021. The Rams re-signed him to a three-year, $57 million deal in February 2025. His absence tests the depth of the offensive line, as the team lacks a trusted backup at the left tackle position, potentially exposing their offense during critical matchups against Arizona and Las Vegas.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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