For nine years, Kareem Jackson roamed the streets of Houston as the Texans’ 2010 first-round pick and starting cornerback. That is no more. In March, the 31-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Denver Broncos to play safety.
On Sunday, Jackson will return to Houston, as his 4-8 Broncos attempt to upset the 8-4 Texans. Denver is using his experience with the Texans to their advantage, as his fellow teammate and safety Justin Simmons alluded to on Wednesday.
“Just this morning, you have our coaching staff break down their personnel a little bit, but we had Kareem get up there. He was with them the longest obviously and he knows what they do—he [saw] it every day in practices when he was there,” Simmons told reporters Tuesday. “Just having him break down personnel, talking about what they like to do and don’t like to do—things like that, it’s a real benefit for game plan preparation going into the week.”
Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris doesn’t need the Texans advice as much as others, he’s played them four times. Nevertheless, Jackson is helping him with information that isn’t as visible on film or as memorable in previous matchups.
“For me, I’ve played against ‘Hop’ and those guys a lot of times,” said Harris. “Really, he just gives me a few more tidbits of what they can do. Just overall on the offensive scheme and Bill O’Brien and how he thinks, K-Jack can definitely help with that.”
Jackson is thriving in the Broncos’ defense, starting 11 games while tallying 58 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, five pass deflections and an interception. According to Pro Football Reference, he has allowed 248 passing yards in coverage in 2019.
On Sunday, expect Jackson to be a pro-active defender against Deshaun Watson and Co. After all, he knows what to look for.
