DENVER — Even in the cold-hearted business of the NFL, there is still some compassion for a highly respected veteran player.
With today's 2 p.m. roster deadline looming, the Broncos intend to bring back the 14-year defensive back and team captain after first releasing him on Christmas Day, a source told 9News.
As a veteran, Jackson is subject to waivers. If he clears by noon Tuesday, Jackson is expected to rejoin the Broncos with a move to the practice squad making the most sense for both parties. It would give Jackson the flexibility not only to finish the season in Denver—where he can still provide veteran leadership and depth to a reeling Broncos team coming off a devastating loss to New England—but also sign with another playoff contender.
Thus, it could turn out to be a win-win for both the Broncos and Jackson.
While the move was not completely unexpected, the Broncos did so with the respect of Jackson's contributions to the team as a co-captain and five-year starter. Broncos head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton held conversations with Jackson in recent days about the situation.
The upshot of the move was by the time Jackson was cleared from his two suspensions that sidelined him for six games over a seven-game stretch -- seven of eight weeks, including a bye -- P.J. Locke had played well for a revamped Broncos defense.
Jackson returned last week but by then Locke had shown big-play ability in his stead. The Broncos received a roster exemption on Jackson from the league until Monday, which happened to be Christmas Day. Jackson was not activated for the Broncos' game Sunday night against the Patriots. The exemption was lifted Monday, Christmas or not.
To have activated Jackson on Monday would have meant cutting another player from the 53-man roster.
The 7-8 Broncos have two games remaining, New Year's Eve Sunday against the 5-10 Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High and most likely the following Sunday, Jan. 7 against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
While the Broncos have not been eliminated from the postseason, they need to win their final two games and hope multiple teams ahead of them lose out to claim the No. 7 and final AFC playoff seed.
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