DENVER — Merry Christmas, Kareem Jackson.
The Broncos have until 2 p.m. Christmas Day to either activate the veteran safety back on their 53-man roster, or release him. Jackson has been a 14-year NFL starter, including eight games this season.
However, some issues have arisen. He was suspended twice this season, for a total of six games, for what the NFL deemed was repetitive unnecessary roughness hits on opponents. He actually missed seven of eight weeks including a bye week. For a 35-year-old safety, that’s a ton of time away from the elite speed of NFL game day.
Jackson was off the suspended list this week and eligible to play against New England but Broncos head coach Sean Payton took advantage of a roster exemption until Monday and kept the veteran off the game-day roster.
Jackson practiced this week, but P.J. Locke was the starter. It’s difficult to dress Jackson as a backup because he doesn’t play special teams. Backup safeties must be special teams contributors. Dellarin Turner-Yell is the Broncos’ backup safety who is a standout special teamer.
Then again, Jackson is one of the team’s six captains. On Christmas Day, will emotional intangibles come into play?
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