The NFL issued James a one-game suspension Monday for repeated violations of playing rules that are intended to protect the health and safety of players, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. James is expected to appeal the ruling, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

EDGE Analysis

James already had three fines for hits on defenseless players on his resume, one from 2022 and two from last season, according to Jay Morrison of ProFootballNetwork.com. He also was fined for unnecessary roughness as a rookie in 2018. The ban issued Monday stems from James lowering his head and making forcible contact with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth during Sunday's 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh. If James loses his appeal, he'll miss this coming Sunday's key matchup with the Chiefs, making his next potential game action Sunday, Oct. 13 in Denver following the Chargers' Week 5 bye.

James finished the 2023 campaign with 125 tackles (86 solo), seven passes defensed, two sacks and one interception across 16 games for the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

James compiled the third-most total tackles among all NFL safeties and made his most appearances since his 2018 rookie campaign, but the veteran defender wasn't quite the same playmaker as he had been in past seasons. The 27-year-old offers a level of versatility that's unmatched by most defensive backs in the league, but the Chargers could need even more production from him in 2024 with the team expected to lose a few key veterans due to cap constraints this offseason.

James finished Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Broncos with 12 tackles (seven solo), including one sack.

EDGE Analysis

James finished second on the team in tackles behind Eric Kendricks. It was the fifth time this season James has reached double-digit tackles in a game. The 2018 first-round pick out of Florida State has 117 total tackles and is one away from matching his career-high set in 2021.

James recorded eight tackles (four solo) in the Chargers' 24-22 loss to the Bills on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The performance gave the three-time All-Pro more than 100 tackles in a season for the fourth time in his six-year career. James now has 106 tackles, five passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and an interception in 2023.

James had 11 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

James reached double-digit tackles for the fourth time this season and played every single defensive snap for the fourth time in five games. He's now up to 91 total tackles in 12 games, which is second only to Kenneth Murray (100). James could reach the tackling century mark as early as Thursday night against the Raiders, which would be the third straight season he's reached that milestone in his five-year career.

James recorded nine tackles (seven solo) including a sack in Sunday's 6-0 win at New England.

EDGE Analysis

James tallied seven-plus tackles for the fourth time in his last five games in Week 13, and he also registered in the sack column for the first time since Week 11 of 2022. He's on pace for his third straight 100-tackle season and projects as a strong IDP play for Week 14 versus the Broncos.

James accumulated 13 tackles (eight solo) in the Chargers' Week 10 loss to the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

James' 13 tackles were a season-high and his third time hitting double-digits in eight games. He also was on the field for all 64 defensive snaps, which makes it the fifth time he has played 100 percent of defensive snaps this year. The safety will look to carry that momentum into Week 11 when the Chargers head to Green Bay.

James had five tackles (four solo) and an interception in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

He picked off Tyson Bagent in the fourth quarter on a pass intended for Darnell Mooney, which was James' first regular season interception since Week 16 of the 2022 season. His 37 tackles this season is behind the pace of the 115 he registered last year, and it seems unlikely the safety will reach 100-plus tackles for a third straight season.

James (ankle) will be active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

James sustained a minor ankle injury during practice Thursday, which left him sidelined for Friday's session and thus questionable to play Week 7. The three-time Pro Bowler was reportedly considered a game-time decision, so it appears he was able to make it through pregame warmups well enough to suit up Sunday. Over four games this season, James has tallied 27 tackles and two passes defended, and he should continue to play a crucial, do-it-all role in the Chargers defense.

James (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, is viewed as a game-time decision, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A mid-week addition to the Chargers' injury report after tweaking his ankle in Thursday's practice, James didn't participate in Friday's session en route to taking a questionable tag into the weekend. Despite closing the practice week on a down note, James will be evaluated in pregame warmups before the Chargers make a call on his status when they release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. While suiting up for four of the Chargers' first five games, James has accrued 27 tackles and two pass breakups. Los Angeles has already ruled its other starting safety, Alohi Gilman (heel), out for the contest, so the secondary could be spread even more thin against the Kansas City passing attack if James can't gain clearance to play.