Safety Tanard Jackson said Monday he has been cleared by a doctor to practice with the Washington Redskins but will have to wait a few more days to do so, because of a provision in the sport’s collective bargaining agreement.
Jackson, who began training camp on the physically unable to perform list because of a calf injury and hasn’t practiced, said he hopes to begin practicing Wednesday.
Under the CBA, there can be no on-field activities for players on the first day of a team’s training camp, and players cannot wear pads or have contact when they practice on the second and third days of camp. Jackson said he was told that players coming off the camp PUP list are subject to similar restrictions after they are cleared to play.
“I was cleared to practice by the doctor [Sunday],” Jackson said. “I had my physical. Everything was a go. But with the new CBA rules, they just let me know this morning, I still had to go through the acclimation period. They said three days, so I’m assuming Wednesday.”
The Redskins signed Jackson in April after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was coming off shoulder surgery and failed a physical before he was released by the Buccaneers.
Fellow newcomers Brandon Meriweather and Madieu Williams have been working with the starting defense in practice.
“You’re definitely behind when you miss any days of camp and you’re not out there practicing with the guys,” Jackson said. “But it’s a long time in the preseason. We’ve got plenty of opportunities to get out there and still compete.”
