The four-game suspension levied on Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for his hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs has been upheld.

Hearing officer Derrick Brooks declined to reduce the suspension after Jackson appealed the initial decision.

Jackson will be eligible to return in Week 16, a Christmas Eve home game against the New England Patriots.

Earlier this season, Jackson had a four-game suspension reduced to two games by Brooks on appeal. The Broncos' game Sunday night against the Vikings was Jackson's first in his return from that suspension.