Chargers' HC Jim Harbaugh rebukes NFL for Derwin James' suspension

After Derwin James' one-game suspension was initially issued on Monday, the star LA Chargers safety tried to appeal it. The NFL announced yesterday that the appeal was unsuccessful as James' one-game ban was upheld.

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was asked for his thoughts on the suspension on Wednesday. His initial response was as follows:

"Disappointed," Harbaugh said, "And you know how I feel about Derwin (James). He is a shining star in every way. As a teammate, captain on this team, two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year, I mean everything he's done for the Chargers and the entire league. He is a shining star, a shining example."

The NFL has forced Derwin James to change how he plays for the Chargers

Harbaugh said that James reached out to officials this past summer to "get a grasp on how they want it done" in regards to penalties stemming from his tackles. The Chargers' head coach continued to praise James for his tackling:

"And the evidence is right there in the tape. Look at all of his 20 some tackles on the season," Harbaugh said. "And he is going out of his way, literally, going out of his way. Sometimes giving up yards so that he can not injure another player or hit him with the head. So yeah, I'm disappointed."

Harbaugh said the plan on Sunday without James would be, "next man up mentality." Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, and AJ Finley will all gear up to play the Chiefs (barring new developments on the injury report).

Without James active for gameday, the situation does seem to call for a second practice squad elevation on the season for vet safety Tony Jefferson. Jefferson made his season debut against Carolina when Gilman missed the game with an injury. He did not play last week against Pittsburgh.

James has been an integral part to the Chargers' previous gameplans vs. KC in dealing with star TE Travis Kelce. While Kelce has gotten off to a slower statistical start this season than he's traditionally accustomed to, James not playing certainly benefits the Chiefs' offense from a matchup perspective.