Tanard

Jackson

Jackson has to apply for reinstatement, which isn’t a given considering his track record with the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The Bucs have reportedly offered no assurances to Jackson that he will have a major role upon his return.

That didn’t take long. The Redskins were fully expected to consider Jackson now that former Bucs coach Raheem Morris is running the secondary. Turning 27 in July, Jackson is worth the risk as long as it’s a low-cost deal. He will likely compete with Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes for the starting free safety job. Jackson’s signing certainly hurts Williams’ chances of making the team.

Jackson underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff three months ago, but will be ready to return by June. The move likely has as much to do with Jackson’s off-the-field history as his injury, as he was suspended for all of 2010 and the first five weeks of 2011 for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Jackson played poorly upon his return in Week 6 last season, struggling in coverage while getting hammered against the run. Still only 26, however, he will latch on elsewhere.

Jackson had surgery in January and expects to be healthy by June 1. “Man, my shoulder been injured since ’09 and something that I put off and I played through a series of injuries,” he said. “Not to make excuses for the way I played, but I had a lot of injuries last year, two bad hamstrings and a torn rotator cuff.” Jackson was released by the Bucs on Tuesday. He could resurface with old coach Raheem Morris, who now coaches DBs in Washington.

After missing 23 games due to substance abuse suspensions over the past three years, Jackson failed to show for the voluntary offseason program. Jackson concedes his approach to rehab may have played a part in the release. Lest there was any doubt, new coach Greg Schiano is running a much tighter ship than Raheem Morris ever did.

Jackson has been hampered by a hamstring injury for a couple of weeks. Corey Lynch will start at free safety against the Packers’ high-powered aerial attack.

Per FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Jackson’s status will not be re-evaluated until 2013. According to beat writer John Keim, the Redskins had been waiting a “long time” to learn Jackson’s status, suggesting they knew a ban was possible. Jackson was suspended for all of 2010 for violating the NFL’s drug policy. He had been competing with Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes at free safety. Although Jackson is still only 27, a second year-long ban is going to threaten his career.

It means Jackson has been cleared to practice, and will no longer be eligible to begin the year on the reserve/PUP list. Jackson will compete with Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes for the Redskins’ starting free safety job. Jackson would do well to display improved tackling skills early in camp, as he was perhaps the single worst player in the league against the run last season.

Jackson originally estimated he’d be ready to roll by June 1 following his January rotator cuff operation. Jackson can be activated at any time, but could get buried behind Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes on the depth chart if he’s out for long.

Grimm tore the ligaments on a play in which his knee knocked Geno Hayes unconscious while hitting the linebacker’s helmet. Larry Asante and Corey Lynch are candidates to fill in this week, though Tanard Jackson may be returning from suspension shortly. Grimm has exceeded expectations as a 2010 seventh-rounder, but he’s now ended up on injured reserve in both seasons with the Bucs.