DENVER — Here’s what the Broncos have in Kareem Jackson: a 14-year defensive back who has been a starter his entire his career, including these past five seasons as a Denver safety.
Here's something else the Broncos have in Jackson: a 35-year-old safety who has missed seven of the past eight weeks because of two league-issued suspensions while his backup, P.J. Locke, has played well in his absence.
And so it looks like the Broncos are considering the possibility of punting back a week the decision on whether to start Jackson or Locke at the safety position opposite Justin Simmons. The Broncos received a roster exemption for Jackson until Monday.
That is Christmas Day, the day after the Broncos play the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve night.
So Jackson is back practicing, but if the Broncos so choose, they do not have to activate him on their 53-man roster until next week. They also have the option to activate him, say Saturday, if Jackson shows the coaches he’s ready to play against the Patriots, even if it’s in a backup role.
The issue there, though, is Jackson doesn’t play special teams, at least he hasn’t in years as a starting player. And it’s difficult to dress backup players who don't play special teams on game day.
“We’ll see,’’ said Broncos coach Sean Payton. “It’s been four weeks. All those things are possibilities. It’s still something we’re going through relative to packages.”
It’s difficult to play in the NFL at 35 years old. Only Josh Norman — who turned 36 last week and was out of work until the Bills signed him out of injury emergency in October — is older than Jackson’s 35 and 8 months among NFL defensive backs. But to be 35 and virtually away from the game the past two months makes it especially difficult.
Jackson was suspended four games — reduced to two upon appeal, with a bye week in between — for his high hit against Green Bay tight end Luke Musgrave on Oct. 22 in game 7. He returned for one game and, on the first series, hit quarterback Josh Dobbs in a manner that he was suspended four games. This time, with a failed appeal. Jackson was reinstated from the suspended list this week, but with the roster exemption.
All that time off has the Broncos considering having Jackson reacclimate to high-speed football by taking a full week of practice before he is officially activated on the 53-man roster next week.
Bonitto, Dulcich update
Payton revealed No. 3 pass rusher Nik Bonitto has a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury that sidelined him Saturday against Detroit, and has made it questionable for him to play Sunday against the Patriots. Bonitto suffered the injury two weeks ago in the Broncos’ 24-7 win against the Chargers. He leads the Broncos with 7.0 sacks, even though he plays behind starters Jonathon Cooper (6.5 sacks) and Baron Browning (3.5 sacks).
Bonitto worked out on the side Wednesday, an encouraging sign that if he doesn’t play against the Patriots, he could be ready to play the following game: New Year’s Eve against the Chargers at Empower Field.
As for tight end Greg Dulcich, no update. He’s still hurt, this time with a foot injury. He’s not practicing. Lucas Krull has filled his role in recent weeks and will continue to do so, at least for this week against the Patriots.
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