The NFL is expected to suspend Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson for two games after he punched Buffalo Bills edge rusher Bradley Chubb following Monday night's game. The incident occurred during post-game handshakes, resulting in a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits acts contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.
Footage of the confrontation shows Jackson marching into the midfield and striking Chubb in the face after a brief exchange. The official suspension statement cites the specific rule violation, noting that the act occurred as players were shaking hands and exchanging jerseys. Jackson is expected to appeal the suspension, which would sideline him while the Rams sit at 2-3 in the NFC.
Chubb, who was pulled back by teammates, described his reaction as a matter of composure. "It's just emotions," Chubb said. "They always catch the second guy. So, I let him swing. And then my teammates held me back, and I just chilled." The Bills defender allowed Jackson to continue his tirade rather than retaliate, a decision that highlighted the contrast between the two players in front of national television cameras.
This suspension follows a pattern of conduct issues for Jackson. In June 2026, he was arrested on charges of felony domestic violence in Southern California. Prosecutors bypassed formal criminal charges in favor of a pre-filing diversion hearing, but the incident remains subject to ongoing NFL review. Additionally, in 2024, the league suspended Jackson for two games under the Personal Conduct Policy after he recorded intimate encounters on his phone without consent. That incident later triggered a civil lawsuit.
The Rams' offense relies on stability to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford's blind side, a role Jackson has struggled to fulfill consistently due to off-field volatility. With the team in a tight NFC race, the suspension removes a key player from the starting lineup during a critical stretch of the season. The NFL's decision underscores the league's continued enforcement of its personal conduct and sportsmanship policies against players whose actions extend beyond the field of play.