Tag: Kareem Jackson

Sean Payton pleased with Broncos’ safety play this season

“I like how we’re playing [at safety],” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Last year, the Denver Broncos went into the season with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson as their starting safeties. Caden Sterns was listed as a co-starter with Jackson, but he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1. That injury left P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner as the team’s backup safeties in 2023.

Simmons played at his typical Pro Bowl level in 2023, but Jackson served two suspensions and was eventually released. Locke ended up starting eight games as a fill-in starter last season.

After parting ways with Jackson late in the 2023 season and releasing Simmons this spring, Denver signed Brandon Jones during free agency. Jones has been starting across from Locke this year, and they have been a dynamic safety duo for the Broncos.

Jones has recorded 79 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through 11 games.

“We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago,” coach Sean Payton said of the safety positon. “We’ve played a few different guys back there, but I like how we’re playing. We’re communicating. Our guys on defense, Vance [Joseph] and Jim Leonhard and all those guys are doing a fantastic job. We’re definitely I would say further along, and it was a good performance by those guys [Sunday].”

Denver’s backup safeties behind Jones and Locke are Devon Key and Skinner. Payton clearly feels that the Jones-Locke-Key-Skinner combination is better than the Simmons-Jackson-Locke-Turner-Yell rotation from last year. (Jackson, as one might expect, disagreed with that assessment.)

Jones and Locke will look to build on their impressive campaign when the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Kareem Jackson was not pleased with Sean Payton’s latest comments

Sean Payton said the Broncos are “better overall” at safety this year than they were last season. Kareem Jackson clearly disagrees.

During his conference call with reporters on Monday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the team’s current safety duo of Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke.

During his response, Payton said, “We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago.” Last year, Denver’s starting safeties going into the season were Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.

Jackson saw Payton’s quote on Twitter/X and it’s safe to say he doesn’t agree with the coach’s stance.

“🤣🤣 if it’s one thing I’ve learned in this league after being in it for 15 years, some of these coaches will say any damn thing!” Jackson tweeted on Monday. “Even if it’s them putting their foot in their mouth lol!! S/o PJ and B Jones cause I love what they doing this year!! Keep going fellas 🫡”

Locke became a fill-in starter for the Broncos last year while Jackson served two separate suspensions. After Jackson returned from his second suspension, Payton cut him.

Jackson, 36, finished last season with the Houston Texans and he is now on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.

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Ex-Broncos safety Kareem Jackson reacts to ‘pathetic’ missed facemask on ‘TNF’

“NFL should be ashamed the refs are terrible every week smh,” Kareem Jackson wrote on social media after a missed facemask on ‘TNF.’

The Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football this week ended with a controversy.

Trailing by eight points late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings got the ball back deep in their own territory. Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold was then sacked in his own end zone to seal a 30-20 loss for the Vikings.

Rams pass rusher Byron Young committed a blatant facemask penalty on the sack, but the official did not throw a flag, sparking much controversy.

Among those who chimed in on the incident was former Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson.

“NFL should be ashamed the refs are terrible every week smh,” Jackson tweeted.

Jackson, 36, played for the Broncos from 2019-2023. He is now on the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills.

“Referee combine is needed smh. How you gonna test the players but not the mf watching them 🤣🤣🤣,” Jackson wrote in a follow-up tweet.

Jackson was repeatedly fined and suspended twice for his illegal hits with the Broncos last season.

“And bro will go home with no consequences and all his money and in line to call a game next week,” Jackson wrote. “But the players take on all the consequences. For hits, PI’s, etc …. This [expletive] pathetic smh.”

Jackson was certainly not alone in his criticism of the missed call.

“Can’t see a facemask 3 feet in front of them, but we want refs to decide what is and isn’t a “hip drop” tackle in real time. 😂😂” J.J. Watt tweeted.

Young appeared to expect a penalty based on his reaction after the play. He took to Twitter/X following the game with a funny response.

With the win, the Rams improved to 3-4. The Vikings dropped to 5-2. The Broncos are not scheduled to play either team this season.

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Broncos name team captains, and rookie QB Bo Nix makes history

Bo Nix is the Broncos’ first rookie to be named a team captain since Hall of Fame RB Floyd Little in 1967.

The Denver Broncos have named their six team captains for the 2024 NFL season, coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday.

On offense, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, guard Quinn Meinerz and rookie quarterback Bo Nix got the nod. On defense, cornerback Pat Surtain and inside linebacker Alex Singleton were named captains. Kicker Wil Lutz will serve as the special teams captain. The captains were elected by teammates this week.

Nix makes history as the team’s first rookie team captain since Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967. This will also mark the first time Payton has had a rookie captain on his team.

Denver’s team captains last year were Sutton, quarterback Russell Wilson, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson and punter Riley Dixon. Wilson, Simmons and Jackson are no longer on the team.

Two years ago, the team’s captains were Wilson, Sutton, Simmons, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and kicker Brandon McManus. Of the team’s 2022 team captains, Sutton is the only one who remains on the team.

This fall will mark Sutton’s fourth straight season as a team captain.

The Broncos are preparing for a Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. Denver is considered a 5.5-point road undergoing going into Sunday’s game in Seattle.

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20 ex-Broncos players have signed with NFL practice squads

A group of former Broncos including Kareem Jackson, KJ Hamler, Caden Sterns and Tim Patrick have landed on NFL practice squads this week.

After the dust settled following NFL roster cuts, clubs have started filling their practice squads. So far, 20 former Denver Broncos players have signed with practice squads this week, including ex-players from past years.

Here’s the list:

  1. RB Mike Boone (Carolina Panthers)
  2. RB Nate McCrary (Green Bay Packers)
  3. WR Tim Patrick (Detroit Lions)
  4. WR Brandon Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  5. WR Jalen Virgil (Buffalo Bills)
  6. WR KJ Hamler (Buffalo Bills)
  7. WR Montrell Washington (Kansas City Chiefs)
  8. OL Elijah Wilkinson (Atlanta Falcons)
  9. OL Sam Mustipher (Los Angeles Chargers)
  10. OL Henry Byrd (Minnesota Vikings)
  11. OL Sebastian Gutierrez (San Francisco 49ers)
  12. DT McTelvin Agim (Indianapolis Colts)
  13. DL Elijah Garcia (New York Giants)
  14. DL Kyle Peko (Detroit Lions)
  15. DL PJ Mustipher (Arizona Cardinals)
  16. DT Haggai Ndubuisi (Washington Commanders)
  17. OLB Thomas Incoom (Carolina Panthers)
  18. CB Art Green (New York Giants)
  19. DB Kareem Jackson (Buffalo Bills)
  20. DB S Caden Sterns (Philadelphia Eagles)

So far, only two players cut by Denver this week — offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs (New England Patriots) and running back Samaje Perine (Kansas City Chiefs) — have landed on an active roster.

As for their own practice squad, the Broncos have filled 16 of 17 spots so far. The final spot should be filled soon.

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Buffalo Bills sign two former Alabama players to practice squad

The Buffalo Bills finalized their practice squad on Wednesday. It features two former Alabama players.

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills parted ways with multiple players including former Alabama safety Kareem Jackson and Tyrell Shavers. One day later, the Bills signed both Jackson and Shavers to their practice squad.

Shavers was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bills following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL draft. He spent last season as a member of the team’s practice squad. During the preseason, Shavers hauled in four receptions for 28 yards. Despite not having much production, many expected Shavers to be a part of the 53-man roster. Instead, he will be a part of the practice squad for now.

On the other hand, the Bills signed Jackson several weeks ago. The veteran safety has spent time with both the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans over the course of his 14-year career. The former first-round pick has had a solid NFL career. He will have to work his way up from the practice squad this time around. However, it is something that Jackson should be able to do sooner rather than later.

Eventually, I anticipate that both Shavers and Jackson will be a part of the Bills active roster.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding former Alabama players in the NFL.

Bills announce full practice squad following roster cuts

#Bills announce full practice squad following roster cuts:

The Buffalo Bills initial roster is now fully set.

The team already announced their initial 53-man roster. The deadline for that was at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Those not included were subject to waivers and those who cleared had a chance to land on Buffalo’s practice squad.

That waiver wire was set for noon on Wednesday and has come and gone. Now we know who did get an offer to join the 16-man taxi squad.

Here is the Bills’ full initial practice squad:

  • QB Mike White
  • – RB Frank Gore Jr. 
  • WR Deon Cain
  • WR KJ Hamler
  • WR Tyrell Shavers
  • TE Zach Davidson
  • OL Richard Gouraige
  • OL Will Clapp
  • OL Mike Edwards
  • DE Kingsley Jonathan
  • DE Kameron Cline
  • DT Eli Ankou
  • DT Branson Deen
  • CB Daequan Hardy
  • CB Te’Cory Couch
  • S Kareem Jackson

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33 ex-Broncos players cut by NFL teams this week

Thirty-four former Broncos players were cut this week, including Caden Sterns, Kareem Jackson, KJ Hamler, Mike Purcell and Brett Rypien.

After more than 1,000 transactions over the last few days, NFL teams set their initial 53-man rosters on Tuesday afternoon.

Leading up to Tuesday’s roster deadline, 33 former Denver Broncos players were cut by NFL teams. Here’s a quick list of those players.

  1. QB Ben DiNucci (Buffalo Bills)
  2. QB Brett Rypien (Chicago Bears)
  3. RB Mike Boone (Carolina Panthers)
  4. RB Nate McCrary (Minnesota Vikings)
  5. FB Andrew Beck (Houston Texans)
  6. TE TE​ Eric Saubert (San Francisco 49ers)
  7. WR KJ Hamler (Buffalo Bills)
  8. WR Tyrie Cleveland (Indianapolis Colts)
  9. WR Seth Williams (Jacksonville Jaguars)
  10. WR Kaden Davis (Detroit Lions)
  11. OL OL Elijah Wilkinson (Arizona Cardinals)
  12. G Zack Johnson (Cleveland Browns)
  13. OL John Leglue (Atlanta Falcons)
  14. OL Sebastian Gutierrez (San Francisco 49ers)
  15. OL Henry Byrd (Minnesota Vikings)
  16. DL Mike Purcell (New England Patriots)
  17. DL Marquiss Spencer (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  18. DT McTelvin Agim (Houston Texans)
  19. DL P.J. Mustipher (Philadelphia Eagles)
  20. DL Jonathan Harris (Miami Dolphins)
  21. DL Haggai Ndubuisi (Washington Commanders)
  22. DE Justin Hollins (Washington Commanders)
  23. OLB Randy Gregory (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
  24. CB Essang Bassey (Detroit Lions)
  25. CB Lamar Jackson (Carolina Panthers)
  26. CB Faion Hicks (Cleveland Browns)
  27. CB Delonte Hood (Arizona Cardinals)
  28. CB Michael Ojemudia (Arizona Cardinals)
  29. CB Mac McCain (New Orleans Saints)
  30. CB Mike Ford (Houston Texans)
  31. DB Kareem Jackson (Buffalo Bills)
  32. DB Caden Sterns (Philadelphia Eagles)
  33. P Corliss Waitman (Chicago Bears)

Some of the players listed above could return to the team that cut them on the practice squad. Later today, we will track Denver’s own practice squad signings after waiver claims are processed on Broncos Wire.

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Kareem Jackson, Ben DiNucci among NFL roster cuts

The Bills parted ways with two former Broncos on Tuesday.

As roster cuts continue across the NFL, two former Denver Broncos players were let go on Tuesday.

The Buffalo Bills released veteran safety Kareem Jackson and backup quarterback Ben DiNucci.

Jackson, 36, was suspended twice, ejected from two games and fined four times for unnecessary roughness with the Broncos last season. Denver released him after he returned from his second suspension and Jackson finished the year with the Houston Texans.

After being cut by the Bills, Jackson’s future in the NFL is uncertain.

DiNucci, 27, signed with the Broncos last year after impressing in the XFL. He spent that season on Denver’s practice squad as the team’s third-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.

Elsewhere, defensive lineman Mike Purcell (New England Patriots) and pass rusher Randy Gregory (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) have also been released.

We will publish a summary of all the ex-Broncos let go by NFL teams after today’s roster cuts deadline. In the meantime, we are tracking all of Denver’s own roster moves on Broncos Wire.

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2 ex-Broncos find new teams; 5 free agents are still unsigned

Former Broncos CB Fabian Moreau joined the Vikings earlier this week and DB Kareem Jackson signed with the Bills.

Story update: The New England Patriots signed Mike Purcell on Thursday. See our original post below. 

As training camps roll on across the league, two former Denver Broncos defensive backs have found new homes.

The Buffalo Bills signed veteran safety Kareem Jackson on Tuesday. The 36-year-old defensive back was cut by the Broncos last December after he returned from his second suspension of the 2023 season. Jackson now gets an opportunity to continue his NFL career in Buffalo.

Elsewhere on the free agency front, the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau on Wednesday. Moreau started 11 games in Denver last season after the team’s young cornerbacks struggled early in the year.

There are now five former Broncos players still available, with the most notable being safety Justin Simmons. The accomplished safety has said he is waiting for the right opportunity. Simmons is one of three former Denver defenders still seeking a new home ahead of the 2024 season.

Broncos unsigned free agents

DB Justin Simmons (30)

DL Mike Purcell (33) [Update: Signed with Patriots]

CB K’Waun Williams (32)

OT Cam Fleming (31)

RB Dwayne Washington (30)

NFL preseason kicks off tonight. We’ll see if these players find new teams before the regular season begins in September.

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