NFL Threatens Suspensions for 20 'Scrutinized' Players

The NFL is cracking down on rough play this season after sending a memorandum about safety violations, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on Sept. 8.

Citing sources, Schefter said the NFL specifically sent the warning to "more than 20 players and the teams that they play for." He added that suspensions will be meted out to erring players, as the NFL aims to make the league safer.

"The players who received notice have been penalized and scrutinized in the past," noted Schefter, adding that the NFL declined to identify them. "All the players have been suspended during the past two seasons for on-field infractions that the league will not tolerate this season."

Schefter then mentioned several players who suit the category: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans, New England Patriots' Trysten Hill, Buffalo Bills' Kareem Jackson, Pittsburgh Steelers' Damontae Kazee and Los Angeles Chargers' Denzel Perryman.

The NFL has been called out by observers in recent years, claiming that the games have become more violent.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has often maintained that they prioritize the safety of the players above anything else. Last season, the league adjusted kickoff rules to curb the high injury rate, as reported by NFL.com . The report added that concussions rose to 219 in 2023 compared to 213 in 2022.

Schefter, meanwhile, added that the NFL has reinstated the club remittance policy after canceling it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this, teams will be fined for players suspended for safety violations, personal conduct policy issues and drug suspensions.

"When a player receives league discipline for a covered infraction, the fine amount (or the amount of salary forfeited in the case of a suspension), up to a maximum of $75,000 per infraction, will be counted toward his club's season total," the notice said, as quoted by Schefter.

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