Seahawks' Derick Hall Suspended by NFL After Stepping on Leg of Rams' Kevin Dotson

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall has been suspended for one game without pay for stepping on the leg of Los Angeles Rams guard Kevin Dotson in Week 15, the NFL announced Friday.

The NFL ruled that Hall "unnecessarily" stepped on Dotson's leg in "an act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct."

Hall's suspension was upheld upon appeal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hall is set to lose $87,705 because of the suspension, per Over the Cap and The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar.

The suspension currently means Hall won't be able to rejoin the active roster until Monday, Dec. 29, following this Sunday's Week 16 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

The Seahawks (12-3) climbed to first in the NFC West with Thursday's overtime victory over the Rams (11-4).

The Seahawks could secure the top seed in the division by winning out against the Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers.

The incident took place in the first quarter on a Rams third-and-goal from Seattle's six-yard line. There was no flag on the play.

Dotson was carted off the field following the play. He was then spotted with crutches and a walking boot after the game, per Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News.

Justin Dedich, who stepped in for Dotson following the injury, was flagged for an illegal downfield penalty on the fourth-and-goal, and the Rams had to settle for a field goal rather than a touchdown. Los Angeles ultimately lost 38-37 in overtime.

The league noted that unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."

Hall is averaging 30 snaps through 13 games this season. He has recorded 29 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, two passes defensed and 1.0 sacks.

With Hall's suspension being upheld, the Seahawks' defense could be thinned even further by the knee injuries suffered by safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen during the win over the Rams. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Friday that Woolen's injury isn't considered serious but that Bryant could miss "some time."