Los Angeles Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James was disqualified in the second quarter of Monday night's win over the Indianapolis Colts for a vicious, helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Ashton Dulin.
In the immediate aftermath of the hit, James was flagged, then taken into the blue medical tent before walking to the locker room. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said after the game that James was in concussion protocol. Dulin also went to the locker room, walking under his own power, and was subsequently ruled out with a concussion.
"I thought that he tried to lead with the shoulder," Staley said of James' intent on the play. "It's a play where they obviously laid the guy out and in a tough position, which is their fault, not ours, and Derwin made an aggressive play. And we all know that Derwin's not gonna try and do that to anybody, so we'll have to look at it, but I know what Derwin's intentions are. I've seen him make a lot of tackles on plays just like that, and I know that his target was not above the neck, I know that."
The play occurred with 5:19 remaining in the second quarter when Colts quarterback Nick Foles threw an incomplete pass into the flats to Dulin. James read the play expertly but launched into Dulin with the crown of his helmet and appeared to connect with Dulin's head and jaw area.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that James won't be suspended for the hit on Dulin, but the Chargers safety could be fined, per a source.
James, a three-time Pro Bowler, had three tackles and an interception prior to his ejection. He has 109 tackles and two interceptions in 13 starts this year.
Dulin, in his fourth season with the Colts, has appeared in 11 games for Indy this year with 15 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown.
