Broncos Release Kareem Jackson, Known for Unnecessary Roughness


Bronco’s safety Kareem Jackson was released Tuesday after his roster exemption expired. Jackson has accumulated $89,670 in fines this season for repeated violations of unnecessary roughness.

The 14-year veteran has been suspended twice this year and ejected from two games. One was for a hit to the head on Packers’ Luke Musgrave. That suspension was for two games. The other was for a hit to Minnesota Josh Dobbs’ dome, which cost the defensive captain four games.

“I was told that I’m responsible for the offensive guys’ protection,’’ Jackson said at a recent charitable event for his foundation, reported by ESPN. “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.’’

Regardless of what happens in the future for Jackson, there are a few things that are certain. Jackson needs to play by whatever rules the NFL says, even if they are unclear to him and other players, or he will not be able to play at all. If he hopes to play again, he will have to get picked up by someone else, who would be taking a risk on him, or hope that the Broncos can come to an agreement with him. Jackson signed a one -ear deal with the Broncos in the offseason, worth up to $2.67 million.

Head coach Sean Payton said that “we’ll figure out how we’re going to handle it’’ in recent days when asked about Jackson’s potential return to the roster, according to ESPN.