SAN DIEGO — Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will report to the Chargers next week and sign his contract tender, his agent said Thursday.
By reporting Oct. 29, Jackson will be able to serve a three-game, team-imposed suspension on the roster exempt list, then play in the final six games to accrue his sixth season toward unrestricted free agency.
Jackson and agent Neil Schwartz said this fall that the receiver likely wouldn’t play this year.
“With the landscape of labor uncertainty, we wanted to create, at this point in time, certainty,” Schwartz said.
Jackson, a 6-foot-5 Pro Bowl player from Northern Colorado who had two straight 1,000-yard seasons, won’t be paid when he misses games against Tennessee, Houston and Denver while on the roster exempt list. He was placed on the list on Aug. 20 in a hardball tactic by general manager A.J. Smith.
Jackson will be eligible to return to the struggling Chargers for a game at Indianapolis on Nov. 28.
Counting the six games he plays and the bye week, he’ll earn $240,058 rather than the $3,268,000 he would have made had he signed his tender as a restricted free agent before the season.
Harrison back at practice
PITTSBURGH — Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison resumed practicing with the Steelers, one day after threatening to retire because of the NFL’s stricter enforcement of dangerous hits.
“I will continue to play the game with the same passion, intensity and focus with which I have always played and let the chips fall where they may,” Harrison said in a statement.
Raiders undecided at QB
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Raiders quarterback Kyle Boller could make his first start of the season this week against the Broncos.
Then again, it could be Jason Campbell under center. Injured starter Bruce Gradkow- ski hasn’t been ruled out either as coach Tom Cable put off making a decision for a second straight day.
Titans’ Young is improving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterback Vince Young, who injured his left leg Sunday, did not practice, and while he said he is feeling better every day thanks to constant treatment, doesn’t know yet if he will make his 17th straight start this week.
Footnotes.
Josh Luchs, the sports agent who told Sports Illustrated he paid more than 30 players from 1990-96, has been decertified by the NFL Players Association.
• Wide receiver Donald Driver, who has a lingering quadriceps injury, missed practice but still expects to play Sunday against the Vikings.
• Colts president Bill Polian said tight end Dallas Clark is out indefinitely with a hand/ wrist injury.
• Redskins tight end Chris Cooley appears set to play in this week’s game at Chicago after recovering from a mild concussion.
The Associated Press
