Houston Texans claim safety Kareem Jackson off waivers from Broncos, who had hoped to re-sign him

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Kareem Jackson, the hard-hitting safety, is making a return to his original NFL home as the Houston Texans have successfully claimed him off waivers from the Denver Broncos. The Broncos, with a record of 7-8, had hoped that Jackson would clear waivers, allowing them to re-sign him to their practice squad. This strategic move would have spared them the risk of losing another player through the waiver process and would have enabled them to promote Jackson to the active roster for future games.

However, their hopes were dashed, and Kareem Jackson is now back with the Houston Texans, who originally drafted him as the 20th overall pick out of Alabama back in 2010. Jackson’s social media post on Tuesday expressed his excitement about returning to “H Town.”

Jackson’s NFL journey has seen him transition from a cornerback to a safety, a change that was initiated when he joined the Broncos as a free agent in 2019. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 183 pounds, Jackson’s size falls on the smaller end of the spectrum for NFL safeties. Nonetheless, he compensates for this with a hard-hitting style of play, characterized by impactful tackles that were once celebrated but now face scrutiny due to the league’s emphasis on player safety.

In 2023, Jackson found himself in hot water as he repeatedly violated the NFL’s safety rules with a series of illegal hits early in the season. These infractions resulted in fines, ejections, and suspensions, totaling six games. For instance, he was fined $43,709 for an unflagged hit on Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco in October.

Despite signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract during the previous free agency period, Jackson lost his starting position to Caden Sterns during training camp. However, he regained his starting role when Sterns suffered a season-ending leg injury in the Broncos’ opening game. Subsequently, Jackson’s return to action resulted in his second suspension after a tackle, and he remained on the exempt list during his final week with the Broncos.

While he only played in one game since late October, Jackson maintained his physical condition through dedicated workouts during his suspension. He expressed confidence in his abilities, likening his return to the football field to riding a bicycle.

During his second suspension, Jackson sought guidance from Commissioner Roger Goodell on how to avoid further rule violations aimed at player safety. Goodell emphasized the challenging task of balancing player safety while performing as the last line of defense on the field.

Kareem Jackson’s journey in the NFL continues as he joins the Houston Texans once more, bringing his hard-hitting style and experience to the team’s defense.

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Source: AP NFL

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