10:26am: Jackson did appeal his suspension, but that appeal was denied, a fact the safety didn’t find out before yesterday, says Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (Twitter links).
THURSDAY, 8:08am: It’s not clear what Jackson is referring to when he talks about appealing, according to John Keim of ESPN.com, who tweets the process has already been completed. “There are no more appeals,” says Keim. “Period.”
WEDNESDAY, 9:33pm: Jackson tells ESPN 980 (on Twitter) that he and his agent are planning to appeal and swears that “this is not a repeat of the past, [it’s] totally different.”
3:51pm: Redskins safety Tanard Jackson has been suspended indefinitely without pay once again for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the team announced today (Twitter link). For Jackson, it’s his second indefinite suspension and fourth overall suspension for the same offense. He was reinstated by the NFL from his last ban just over two months ago.
Considering Jackson’s previous suspension cost him two NFL seasons, it seems unlikely that he’ll return from this one and play in the NFL again. While Washington was prepared to give him a chance to earn a roster spot in 2014, Jackson was on a minimum salary contract and was no lock to make the team.
A former fourth-round pick, Jackson spent five seasons with the Buccaneers from 2007 to 2011, starting all 56 games he played for the team during that stint. During those five years, the Syracuse product, who will turn 29 later this month, accumulated 239 tackles, 10 interceptions, and five forced fumbles.