Bucs safety Tanard Jackson to play Sunday vs. Saints

Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson, who was reinstated from suspension earlier this week on Tuesday, will be active for Sunday’s contest against the NFC South-leading Saints at Raymond James.

Jackson was signed to the active roster because of the team’s injuries at the safety position (Cody Grimm, Devin Holland both out for season), he was in such good shape, and the coaches have been impressed with him.

The Syracuse product hasn’t played a game since Week 2 of last season.

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Plan on life without Vick, Jackson

Panic at the Vick-sco: I write blogs, not tragedies. Well, maybe not considering what happened Sunday night. Maybe you heard, maybe you didn’t, but Michael Vick has a concussion.  Welcome to the world of Arian Foster owners. What to do?  First, have somebody ready for Sunday. With the NFL’s new concussion rules, it’s going to be nearly impossible for him to play. Make a move for the best backup QB you can, because you’ll be playing him a lot – not just this week.

If you have to give up a starter at a different position, give up a starter. Vick has shown he still has the propensity to be unable to avoid contact (even from his own team). He’s not changing his style of play so expect there to be more weeks like this where his playing status is in question. Good news is, with the QB position being so deep, you should be able to obtain someone readily.

If you want to go free agent, Rex Grossman is still widely available in a lot of leagues, so snap him up. Not a lot of other big-timers out there (sorry Jason Campbell). Everyone else is a dice roll. You need a consistent point-getter. Don’t go cheap like Adam Rank in Vegas. He actually told me he likes to hang out at a certain sports bar there because the beer is cheap, like it’s college.

I know it’s risky, but if you can’t obtain a worthwhile QB, then handcuffing Vick is a good option by picking up Mike Kafka.  He moved the team pretty well on Sunday night and would have won the game if Jeremy Maclin didn’t turn into Stonehands from ‘Necessary Roughness’.  Philadelphia likes to do the same things on offense regardless of QB’s – Kolb to Vick, Vick to Kafka.

There won’t be a change in style except Kafka won’t run as much, obviously.  You can expect good (but non-Vick) production from him.  Don’t be afraid of Vince Young — Kafka has possession of the backup job now due to Young’s injury — and VY won’t be thrown into the fire, except as a last resort.  Kafka played in a high octane offense in Northwestern (remember 532 yards passing in the 2010 Outback Bowl), who I believe play 8 receivers on every down, so he’ll be well accustomed to distributing the ball in Philadelphia.

New Jack City: Been a long time since Uptown Nino Brown ruled the Cash Money Brothers. It seems like it’s been that long since Steven Jackson missed a game (one in 2009). I know his strained quad/hamstring doesn’t have him officially out for tonight, but plan on not having him.

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s a ‘tough call’ for Monday, and is a game-time decision. I know Spagnuolo said he rested him all week with the strategy he could play tonight against the Giants, but don’t believe it. All the early reports have him as next to out. This strikes me as Spagnuolo making sure New York spends extra time preparing for Jackson, when there’s no way he’ll play.

Hamstrings linger (I miss The Cranberries) and St. Louis isn’t going to pull a Kubiak, and put Jackson out there only to see him get hurt again (again, see Foster, Arian). If you need a pickup, grab Cadillac Williams. You may only have him for a week, but he’ll get the bulk of the work in the running game. Not Jackson-type production, but you have to take what’s available.

If you’re playing him at a flex and you need someone? If Hakeem Nicks is out for the G-Men, grab Domenik Hixon. If Nicks plays, look to snag Brandon Gibson or Greg Salas. Salas will be in the slot.  I know, I know, but you’re desperate.

- Jason Smith

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Injury roundup: Rams lose Bradford, Jackson

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Week 1 injury roundup, Andy Dalton, Brian Price, Danny Amendola, Daryl Washington, Derrick Ward, Eric Berry, Ernie Sims, Gary Brackett, James Harrison, Jason Smith, Jimmy Smith, Jon Beason, Kevin Walter, Lance Lewis, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Luis Castillo, Marcedes Lewis, Marvin Lewis, Michael Crabtree, Michael Robinson, Mike Tolbert, Mike Tomlin, Nate Kaeding, Ron Bartell, Roy Williams, Sam Bradford, Sammie Stroughter, Steven Jackson, Terrence McGee, Week 1 injuries 2011

With Week 1 nearly in the books, here’s a look at the notable injuries from Sunday’s games:

The Rams’ loss to the Eagles was compounded by a number of injuries. The team announced X-rays on QB Sam Bradford’s injured right finger were negative, but he could have suffered nerve damage. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said WR Danny Amendola (dislocated left elbow) will have an MRI exam, RT Jason Smith sustained a high ankle sprain, and more would be known about RB Steven Jackson (quad) on Monday. The stinger that sidelined CB Ron Bartell isn’t considered serious.The shoulder injury that sidelined Texans WR Kevin Walter turned out to be an injury that NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports will keep him out 10-12 weeks. Derrick Ward also left Sunday’s game with a right ankle injury.In what looks to be a huge blow for the Panthers, LB Jon Beason exited Sunday’s game in Arizona with an ankle injury. NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported early Monday that the team fears a torn Achilles for Beason, citing a league source. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Beason will undergo an MRI exam Monday and called the injury “dire.”Bengals QB Andy Dalton said “the plan is to play” next week after he missed the second half Sunday with a wrist injury. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said initial tests on Dalton’s wrist were negative.The Bears lost two starters on offense, as WR Roy Williams (groin) and RG Lance Lewis (ankle) couldn’t finish against the Falcons.Two Colts linebackers — Gary Brackett (sprained shoulder) and Ernie Sims (sprained knee) — were sidelined against the Texans.Buccaneers DT Brian Price didn’t return against the Lions after suffering a hamstring injury during the third quarter. WR Sammie Stroughter also left during the first quarter with a left foot injury, and according to the St. Petersburg Times, left the stadium in a walking boot.Ravens rookie CB Jimmy Smith injured his ankle during the first quarter and did not return.Seahawks FB Michael Robinson suffered a left ankle injury against the 49ers, an injury La Canfora reports is a high sprain and could keep him out eight weeks.Cardinals RB LaRod Stephens-Howling sustained a right hand contusion against the Panthers. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Stephens-Howling seemed OK, but more would be known on Monday, and added that LB Daryl Washington suffered a calf strain.49ers WR Michael Crabtree missed most of the second half against the Seahawks because of a sore foot, according to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, but X-rays on his foot after the game came back negative.

– Frank Tadych

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Rams RB Jackson questionable to return

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Steven Jackson, Cadillac Williams, St. Louis Rams, Week 1 injuries 2011

UPDATE: It’s looking more and more like Jackson is done for the day. He’s currently on the sidelines with his helmet off, and according to Steve Wyche, has stopped trying to warm up. No official word from the Rams yet.

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It’s not a pleasant sight for the Rams that RB Steven Jackson is on the sideline during the first quarter riding a stationary bike.

The Rams announced during the first quarter that Jackson is questionable to return against the Eagles with a right quadriceps bruise. Jackson started off the game with this 47-yard touchdown run, but then headed for the locker room. He returned to start the second series with a 9-yard run, but then came out for what appears to be for good.

The positive is that the Rams now have a capable backup for Jackson in Cadillac Williams, who looked strong while replacing Jackson. Williams has six rushes for 33 yards.

– Frank Tadych

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Vincent Jackson: Chargers still an option for future

Published: December 14th, 2010 | Tags: Vincent Jackson, Fran Charles, NFL Total Access, San Diego Chargers

Chargers WR Vincent Jackson joined Fran Charles to discuss getting back on the field this season, the play of QB Philip Rivers and whether he thinks he could be back in San Diego next season.

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