Burley Garcia|Houston Texans claim oft-suspended safety Kareem Jackson off waivers

The Burley GarciaHouston Texans claimed safety Kareem Jackson off waivers, the team announced Tuesday, just one day after the veteran was waived by the Denver Broncos.

In a corresponding move, the Texans placed starting safety Jimmie Ward on injured reserve due to a quad injury that he sustained in Week 16’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Jackson is in the midst of turbulent season that has included multiple ejections and two suspensions.

Jackson was ejected in Week 2 for an illegally hit to Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas. He was ejected and later suspended for a hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave in Week 7. Jackson was initially given a three-game suspension, but it was reduced to two games.

Jackson was suspended again when he lowered his head and hit Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs in Week 11. The NFL subsequently banned Jackson four games for repeated violations of player safety rules.

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The 14-year safety has 952 tackles, 22 interceptions and 110 pass deflections in 201 career games. Jackson spent his first nine years in Houston before joining the Broncos in 2019. Jackson’s return to Houston mean’s he’s reuniting with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. The two were Texans teammates for two seasons (2010-2011).

The Texans have two of the three players who have been suspended this year for illegal hits, along with inside linebacker Denzel Perryman. The third player the NFL suspended for an illegal hit is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Damontae Kazee.

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