Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson returned to the team this week after completing his four-game suspension for unnecessary roughness.
With Jackson back in the building, the Broncos currently have 54 players on their roster. Denver’s roster exemption for the safety will expire after Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
After the exemption ends, the Broncos will have to make a corresponding move to make room for Jackson on the 53-man roster. Denver coach Sean Payton seemed to indicate Wednesday that the team is not rushing a decision.
“We have until Monday with his roster exemption,” Payton said. “Officially by Monday, if he comes up, someone else has to come down. We’re at 53 plus him, and then we’ll figure out how we’ll handle it relative to this week and going forward.”
Payton was asked Wednesday is it’s possible that Jackson won’t be activated for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
“We’ll see,” Payton said. “It’s been four weeks. All those things are possibilities. It’s still something we’re going through relative to packages.”
P.J. Locke started during Jackson’s suspension and he played well. Payton was noncommittal when asked if Locke will start on Sunday, saying “we’ll see,” but he did praise Locke’s four-game performance.
“There has been a lot of good things,” Payton said. “It’s been a big part of some of the things that we’re doing. He’s done a good job.”
Jackson, 35, and Locke, 26, are both scheduled to become free agents this offseason.
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