NFL Announces Suspensions for Alaric Jackson, Zay Jones, and Other Players Due to Conduct Violations

In Los Angeles, the NFL announced several significant suspensions on Friday due to breaches of the league’s personal conduct policy. Among those impacted is Rams offensive lineman Alaric Jackson, who will serve a two-game suspension. In addition, Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones received a five-game ban.

According to NFL Media, two free agent cornerbacks, J.C. Jackson and Chris Claybrooks, also faced suspensions. J.C. Jackson has been handed a one-game suspension, while Claybrooks will sit out for eight games. However, he has already served this time while being on the Commissioner’s Exempt List last season.

Zay Jones was arrested last November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, but the charges were dropped in March. Despite the dropped charges, the NFL conducted its investigation and deemed a five-game suspension appropriate. Jones, 29, previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons before signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals in May. He is set to return in time for the team’s Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Alaric Jackson, who entered the NFL with the Rams as an undrafted free agent from Iowa in 2021, started last season as L.A.’s left tackle. His recent struggles included a serious health issue that ended his 2022 season early due to blood clots. Now 26, he played all 15 games last season, including the Rams’ lone playoff game. With his suspension, Joe Noteboom is expected to take over the starting role for the opening matches against the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals. Jackson can return for Week 3 when the Rams host the San Francisco 49ers.

In addition, J.C. Jackson spent the past season between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots. After his trade back to the Patriots, where he originally earned an All-Pro nod in 2021, he appeared in eight games, contributing with 25 tackles and six pass breakups. Meanwhile, Claybrooks, who was with the Jaguars last season, was arrested twice in 2023 on charges related to domestic assault and vandalism. He was initially drafted in the seventh round by Jacksonville in 2020.