WATCH: Broncos S Kareem Jackson Ejected for Vicious Hit on TE

The Denver Broncos safety was booted from the game for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

And just like that, all the Denver Broncos' glorious momentum has dried up. The Broncos built up a three-score lead in the first half, only to relinquish most of it on the heels of an ill-timed Russell Wilson fumble halfway through the second quarter. 

On the ensuing possession, the Washington Commanders marched down the field with second-year quarterback Sam Howell receiving a little help from a Nik Bonitto facemask penalty. 

On a 4th-&-4 with 4:47 left in the second quarter and the Commanders on the Broncos' 4-yard line, Howell threw a dart to tight end Logan Thomas, who miraculously held on despite safety Kareem Jackson clocking him in the head. 

Jackson was ejected from the game. Thomas has been ruled out with a concussion. 

CRAZY TD catch by #Commanders TE Logan Thomas and a VICIOUS hit delivered by #Broncos S Kareem Jackson…

This is bad.
pic.twitter.com/dwKHn9eMCp

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 17, 2023

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Here's a slow-motion look at Jackson's hit on Thomas from a good angle. 

TOUCHDOWN 🚨

Logan Thomas hangs TOUGH through contact for the touchdown on 4th down!

Logan Thomas is down and the Commanders and Broncos remonstrate.

Flags fly. Jackson should be ejected for this hit.

How on Earth did Thomas hold on to this?!#HTTC pic.twitter.com/GPB1Jw2nun

— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 17, 2023

Thanks to Jackson's penalty, the Commanders had the ball on the Broncos' 1-yard line for the extra point attempt, opting for the two-point try. After review, Brian Robinson's rush was determined to have crossed the plane, giving Washington another two points. 

With 1:47 to go and lacking a timeout, the last thing the Broncos needed was a three-and-out, but that's what happened. Washington got the ball back, and Howell drove down to grab one more field goal heading into halftime. 

The Broncos lead at the half, 21-14. But the home team is reeling. 

Jackson was penalized late in last week's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders for knocking Jakobi Meyers out of the action, giving Jimmy Garoppolo a fresh set of downs in a critical situation. He received a $14,819 fine from the NFL.

Jackson can expect a bit harsher discipline from the league office after Week 2's infraction. Meanwhile, the Broncos are rolling with the second-year Delarrin Turner-Yell alongside Justin Simmons. 

Vance Joseph's defense is trying to catch its breath, hoping that Sean Payton's offense can get back on the horse and get something rolling again in the third quarter. 

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