Zac Boyer will be entering his third season covering the Washington Redskins for The Free Lance-Star this fall. Make sure to follow Zac on Twitter (@ZacBoyer) for the latest updates or e-mail him with any questions at zboyer@freelancestar.com.
Rob Jackson Facing Four-Game Suspension To Start Season
Jackson will sit out the first four games after a violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse but can participate in offseason workouts, training camp and the preseason.
BY ZAC BOYER
Rob Jackson will be suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for “violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse,” according to a league spokesman.
Jackson
Jackson, a reserve outside linebacker, signed a one-year contract with a $715,000 base salary earlier this month to avoid restricted free agency. According to SiriusXM NFL Radio, which first reported the story Wednesday night, the Redskins were aware of Jackson’s pending suspension before proposing a contract.
He will be allowed to participate in offseason and preseason workouts but will have to sit out the start of the season.
A Redskins spokesman declined comment Wednesday night, referring to the prohibition against teams speaking about league suspensions per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Jackson did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Jackson, who signed a one-year contract with a $715,000 base salary before hitting restricted free agency, had the best season of his career in 2012. He stepped in for Brian Orakpo because of injury in a Sept. 16 loss at St. Louis and finished with 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions.
Orakpo tore his left pectoral for the second time in nine months, though head coach Mike Shanahan said last week that Orakpo is doing “very good” and should be set to take part in offseason workouts beginning next month.
