TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson is back in the NFL after being suspended more than a year for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
The Buccaneers said Tuesday the fifth-year pro has been placed on the exempt/ commissioner’s permission list, which means he can begin practicing immediately and coach Raheem Morris will have up to two weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster.
The Buccaneers host the Saints on Sunday, travel to London to face the Bears the following Sunday and then have a bye Oct. 30.
Jackson was a fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse in 2007 and started 32 consecutive games to begin his career. He has eight interceptions in 46 career games.
“I’m anxious, very excited. Just willing to do whatever it takes at this point to help this team,” Jackson said, declining to elaborate on what he had to do while suspended to ensure his reinstatement.
“Without going into a lot of detail, I was in treatment,” he added. “I did a stint in treatment that I needed and was also required for reinstatement. I think that’s all I can go into about that.”
The reinstatement comes two weeks after the Buccaneers lost second-year safety Cody Grimm for the season with a knee injury.
Browns’ Benard charged
CLEVELAND — Browns defensive end Marcus Benard was driving at a “high rate of speed” and crossed four lanes before crashing his motorcycle into a guardrail, according to a police report.
Benard was thrown an estimated 241 feet after slamming his Can-Am Spyder into the guardrail Monday after practice. Benard, who broke his hand in the wreck, has been charged with driving under suspension and reckless operation. Benard remains hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic.
Brooklyn police Sgt. Scott Mielke said Benard is due in court Oct. 18 in Parma, Ohio.
British invasion rolls on
HOUSTON — The NFL will play regular-season games in Britain through 2016.
Team owners approved a resolution at their fall meetings, with the number of games per year potentially increasing. No venues, dates or teams have been decided, but commissioner Roger Goodell said there could be more than one game there next season.
Teams can volunteer to play at least one regular-season home game per year in Britain for up to five years. The Buccaneers will host the Bears on Oct. 23 in London, the fifth straight year the NFL has held an October game there.
Footnotes.
Giants defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
• The Chargers said they will place linebacker Stephen Cooper (biceps) on season- ending injured reserve today.
• The Colts activated running back Darren Evans from the practice squad and waived offensive tackle Michael Toudouze.
The Associated Press
