Texans claim safety Kareem Jackson

Kareem Jackson (Instagram)

According to Jason Owens of Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday, the Houston Texans have claimed safety Kareem Jackson of Macon, Georgia off waivers. Jackson was actually released by the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day in a Scrooge-like act by the Broncos organization. The release came after the Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve night.

Jackson is returning to the Texans after spending nine seasons with them from 2010 to 2018 at either the cornerback or defensive back position. In the last five seasons, Jackson has played safety. In eight games in 2023, he has had 51 combined tackles (36 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles), two interceptions for five yards, and three pass deflections.

The Texans meanwhile are taking a chance on Jackson. That is because he has been suspended twice in 2023. The reason for Jackson’s suspensions are related to his unnecessary roughness penalties this season, and subsequent hard hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

Houston is in need of improving their defense as soon as possible. Even though they are tied for first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts at eight wins and seven losses, they have looked sloppy defensively from a pass protection perspective in two of the last three weeks. On December 10, they gave up 301 passing yards to Zach Wilson in a 30-6 Texans loss to the New York Jets, and then on Sunday, gave up 368 passing yards to Joe Flacco and 265 receiving yards to Amari Cooper in a 36-22 Texans loss to the Cleveland Browns.