Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has sat out three of the four games of his suspension since Week 12. After the Broncos face the Detroit Lions in Week 15, Jackson’s suspension will end.
The veteran safety will be eligible to return in Week 16 when Denver hosts the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.
P.J. Locke has been starting in Jackson’s place and he has played exceptionally well, totaling 22 tackles (including two behind the line of scrimmage), three sacks, three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
In the last three weeks alone, Locke has more sacks and more forced fumbles than Jackson totaled in eight games this season (zero for each). Locke has been a play-making safety, and it would be difficult to bench him.
It’s a good problem to have, but the Broncos will have to make a decision on who will start against the New England Patriots in Week 16.
“I think you said at the beginning, it is a good problem to have,” coach Sean Payton said during his Monday conference call with reporters. “It seems like it’s still a ways away yet. We’ll have to deal with it when it gets here, but I think you bring up a couple good points. Certainly, we’ve noticed how he’s been playing, P.J..”
It shouldn’t be a difficult decision for Payton to make. Locke should continue starting after Jackson returns, and if he continues playing at this high level, Locke will likely be a candidate to keep the starting job in 2024.
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