Broncos release Jackson after exemption expires

Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterDec 25, 2023, 04:26 PM ET
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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson, who was suspended twice this season, ejected from two games and fined a total of $89,670 for repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules this season, was released Monday by the Broncos.

The Broncos faced a 4 p.m. ET deadline Monday to either add Jackson to the team’s 53-man roster or release him. Multiple sources said Monday afternoon the Broncos now hope to bring Jackson back to the team’s practice squad if he cleared waivers Tuesday.

The 35-year-old has started 69 games for the Broncos over the past five seasons, including eight this year. Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday after serving a four-game suspension, on a roster exemption that ended Monday.

He was not activated for Sunday night’s 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots. P.J. Locke has started six of the Broncos’ past seven games in Jackson’s safety spot, and the team wants to keep him in the defense.

Locke has three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in the past eight games he has played.

Coach Sean Payton, who had said “we’ll figure out how we’re going to handle it” in recent days when asked about Jackson’s potential return to the roster, and general manager George Paton spoke with Jackson several times this past week, so the team’s decisions were not a surprise to the respected veteran and defensive captain.

It has been a tumultuous year on the field for Jackson. His two suspensions this season cost him a total of six games.

A four-game suspension was handed down by the NFL the day after the Broncos’ Nov. 19 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson’s hit on Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs less than two minutes into that game was the infraction the league cited in its suspension letter.

Jackson was not penalized on the play and played all 74 of the defense’s snaps that day. It was Jackson’s first game back from a two-game suspension — that had been reduced from four games — after he was ejected from the Broncos’ win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 for a hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.

In addition to his fines, Jackson has been ejected from two games and has forfeited $559,889 in salary for the four-game suspension and $279,000 for the two-game suspension.

Jackson has consistently said he wants “clarity” from the NFL in how some plays will be officiated and met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during his most recent suspension to discuss the suspensions and penalties.

“I was told that I’m responsible for the offensive guys’ protection,” Jackson said at a recent charitable event for his foundation. “So, I’m not really sure how I protect myself, make plays and protect them as well. And I’m not really sure what I do moving forward as far as playing this game.”