Safety Kareem Jackson is heading home.
Jackson, who was waived by the Broncos on Monday after serving two suspensions for illegal hits this season, was claimed by the Texans on Tuesday. He will receive his remaining salary of $279,444 through the waiver request.
The Texans drafted Jackson in the first round in 2010, and he and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans were teammates during the 2010-11 season. Jackson spent nine seasons in Houston before moving to Denver in 2019.
He hasn’t played since Nov. 19 against Minnesota.
The NFL suspended Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs for four games for “repeated violations of the rules of play designed to protect player health and safety” for his hit. . This is Jackson’s second suspension this season.
In addition to taking a six-game pay cut for his suspension this season, Jackson also paid an $89,670 fine for four illegal hits.
Jackson, 35, was eligible to return from his most recent suspension for Sunday’s game against the Patriots, but the Broncos applied him to a one-game roster exemption and waived him on Monday. According to Mike Criss of 9News, the Broncos planned to return Jackson to their practice squad if he cleared waivers.
He didn’t.
Jackson started all 69 games he played for the Broncos and finished his four-plus season in Denver with 393 tackles, six interceptions and 22 passes defensed.