The Houston Texans made a noteworthy move on Tuesday by claiming safety Kareem Jackson off waivers, just a day after his release from the Denver Broncos, the team confirmed. In a corresponding decision, the Texans placed safety Jimmie Ward on injured reserve due to a quad injury sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Jackson, 35, experienced a turbulent season marked by two suspensions, the latest being a four-game suspension. His on-field conduct led to ejections from two games due to repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules.
The first ejection occurred in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders when Jackson illegally hit tight end Logan Thomas. Subsequently, in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, he was ejected in the fourth quarter for a sideline hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave, resulting in an initially three-game suspension that was later reduced to two on appeal.
During Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, Jackson delivered a hard hit on quarterback Joshua Dobbs by lowering his helmet, although he avoided ejection. Nevertheless, the league suspended him for four games for consistently violating player safety rules.
Jackson, who spent the past five seasons with the Denver Broncos, is now reunited with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, with whom he played his initial two seasons in Houston. Originally drafted by the Texans as the No. 20 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Jackson played nine seasons in Houston.
Expressing his excitement about returning to the Texans, Jackson told KPRC-TV on Tuesday, “It’s all coming full circle, having spent a lot of time in Houston. I’m really excited and happy for DeMeco and all the success he’s having.”
Jackson, who started 69 games for the Broncos over the past five seasons, including eight this year, returned to practice last Wednesday after serving his four-game suspension. Despite being on a roster exemption that ended Monday, he was not activated for Sunday night’s 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots.
With Jackson’s addition, the Texans now boast two of the three players suspended this season for illegal hits, joining veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Damontae Kazee is the other player facing suspension for similar infractions.
