Why the NFL suspended Derick Hall for Seahawks’ next game at Carolina
That Seahawks-Rams thriller was so good, even the NFL headquarters noticed.
The league took swift action Friday suspending Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall one game without pay for what the NFL in a statement said was his “act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.”
Hall stands to lose $87,705.11 for missing the next game for NFC West-leading Seattle (12-3), Dec. 28 at Carolina (7-7).
He would become eligible to be back on the Seahawks’ roster Dec. 29, in advance of the regular-season finale at San Francisco (10-4) which could be for the division title and the NFC’s top playoff seed. Seattle currently holds that with two games to play.
Hall has the right per the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement to appeal his suspension. His appeal would be to Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFL Players’ Association to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
With the Rams driving into the red zone in the first quarter, Hall was pass rushing against L.A. right tackle Warren McClendon. After Matthew Stafford was throwing a pass to the 1-yard line, Rams guard Kevin Dotson turned back to Hall and McClendon and hit Hall in the chest.
Hall obviously didn’t appreciate Dotson joining in his battle with McClendon. Hall stepped with his left leg onto the prone Dotson’s leg, after the play ended. Rams center Coleman Shelton, who played at the University of Washington, then hit Hall for stepping on Dotson.
The league ruled in its statement Friday Hall was guilty of a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8, which prohibits unnecessary roughness and Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to unsportsmanlike conduct, including ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.’”
Hall totaled three tackles against the Rams. After eight sacks last season for the Seahawks, the team’s second-round pick in the 2023 draft has just one sack this season. Hall has 29 tackles plus 10 quarterback hits and two passes defensed in 13 games.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM.
