Colts free agency: Kareem Jackson takes visit

The Colts hosted free-agent S Kareem Jackson for a visit Wednesday.

The Indianapolis Colts hosted safety Kareem Jackson for a visit in free agency on Wednesday, according to Howard Balzer.

Even though the Colts have re-engaged talks with Julian Blackmon, it also appears they’re keeping tabs on the rest of the market.

Jackson has spent his entire career with the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. The 35-year-old was a first-round pick with the Texans back in the 2010 NFL draft as a cornerback.

He spent nine seasons with the Texans before heading to the Denver Broncos in 2019, which is when he made the switch to safety. He spent five seasons in Denver before he was waived and then claimed by the Texans late during the 2023 season.

Jackson was most notably suspended twice during the 2023 season for illegal hits on defenseless receivers.

The Colts desperately need to address the strong safety position. Blackmon would be the ideal choice considering the other options on the market, but it will be interesting to see what kind of impression Jackson made on the Colts during his visit Wednesday.

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New Broncos safety takes Kareem Jackson’s old jersey number

New Broncos safety Brandon Jones will wear jersey No. 22, formerly worn by Kareem Jackson in Denver.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Two days after the Denver Broncos gave quarterback Russell Wilson’s old jersey number to kicker Wil Lutz, new safety Brandon Jones is now taking Kareem Jackson’s old number.

After officially signing with the Broncos on Thursday, Jones took to Twitter/X with a Photoshopped image of him in a Denver uniform wearing No. 22. His caption: “New beginnings.. DEUCE DEUCE #BroncosCountry”

Jones, 25, signed a three-year, $20 million contract. He will help the team replace veteran Justin Simmons, who was released last week.

Jackson, 35, is facing an uncertain future in the NFL. He was fined four times for unnecessary roughness, ejected from two games and suspended twice (for six games total) last season. After meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during his second suspension, Jackson questioned his future in the league.

“I’m not really sure how I protect myself, make plays and protect [the opponent] as well, but that’s what I was told,” Jackson said in December. “I’m not really sure what I do moving forward, as far as playing this game. So, hopefully, I’ll figure it out.”

It’s unclear if Jackson will play in the NFL again, but if he does, it’s almost certain he won’t return to Denver.

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So who starts at safety for the Broncos in 2024?

The Broncos might go into 2024 with Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke as their starting safeties. The biggest question: Can they stay healthy?

The era of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson has come to an end.

Simmons had been starting for the Broncos since 2017. Jackson started across from Simmons from 2019-2023 (until suspensions ultimately led to his release). Jackson is gone and Simmons has now been cut as well.

So who will start at safety for Denver in 2024?

The team’s safeties currently under contract are Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell, J.L. Skinner, Devon Key and Tanner McCalister. P.J. Locke, who started eight games in the place of Jackson last year, is scheduled to become a free agent next week.

Locke should be a priority in-house free agent for the Broncos. He has proven himself as a capable starter and Denver will need him to step up in 2024 (assuming he returns). Locke will likely be paired with Sterns, who was a candidate to start over Jackson last year before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

On paper, Locke and Sterns certainly look like a capable pair of starting safeties. The biggest concern will be if they can stay healthy. Locke missed five games last year and Sterns missed 28 of a possible 34 games over the last two seasons due to injuries.

When healthy, Locke and Sterns are starting-caliber defensive backs, but the Broncos will need to add more depth at safety this offseason.

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Ravens PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 34-10 win over Texans in divisional round

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round

The Ravens are off to the AFC Championship game after a dominant 34-10 win over the up and coming Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for the championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in Saturdays win via PFF.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 34-10 win over Texans in AFC playoffs

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round matchup

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the win.

Ravens snap count vs. Texans: Breakdown, observations from divisional round win

We’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages for the Ravens in their 34-10 win over the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

The Ravens will play in that semifinal round for the fifth time since their arrival in Baltimore. They’ll take on the winner of Sunday’s matchup between Buffalo and Kansas City.

Lamar Jackson was on another level from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP in the coming weeks.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

The stat line is a credit to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens’ ability to develop a scheme that features what the dual-threat quarterback does best.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages from the huge win.

Instant analysis of Ravens 34-10 win overTexans to advance to AFC title game

We’re looking at an instant analysis of the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round to advance to AFC title game

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

National reaction to Ravens advancing to AFC Championship game with 34-10 win over Texans

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Baltmore Ravens advancing to the AFC Championship game after a 34-10 iwin over the Houston Texans

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Ravens and Texans are tied 10-10 in AFC Divisional Round matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.

Projecting the Ravens depth chart for divisional round matchup vs. Texans

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens updated depth chart of ahead of the Divisional Round playoff matchup vs. the Houston Texans

We’re a little over five away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

Baltimore has ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the contest, while Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews won’t be active after being listed as questionable.

With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a projected two-deep depth chart for Baltimore.