Hits keep coming for Jackson
Cornerback loves to mix it up, get real physical with offensive players
Sizing up Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson accelerated into the backfield and tackled him for his first career sack.
Jackson delivered an even more eye-popping hit during the 13-9 victory last Thursday when he timed his helmet hit perfectly to pop the football from the grasp of Bengals wide receiver John Ross.
Unlike cornerbacks who prefer to concentrate on the finesse aspect of the game and avoid contact, Jackson embraces his reputation as a hard hitter.
“That’s one of the aspects of my game that I pride myself on,” he said. “One of those guys that will get in and get dirty, tackle, do whatever I have to do. I like being physical, so any time I can come out and be physical and kind of create some turnovers, maybe slow some guys up, I’m all for it.”
The former first-round draft pick from Alabama has 350 career tackles, 13 for losses, 13 interceptions and three forced fumbles in eight NFL seasons.
Jackson (5-10, 190) has a lot of pop as a tackler and is an aggressive presence on the Texans’ defense.
“Oh yeah, definitely, he’s always had that,” outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. “Kareem, he’s a great player, honestly. He’s got a lot of spunk to him. … I’ll always want that guy in my trenches. All day.”
Busy game vs. Bengals
The big hit by Jackson on Ross was recovered on the fly and returned 49 yards by outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.
Jackson has a knack for delivering big plays like those. He’s tied with former Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson for the most interceptions in franchise history.
Jackson led the Texans with seven tackles, including five solos and two for losses, against the Bengals.
“I thought K-Jack played one of the best games he’s had since I’ve been here,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He did a lot of different things. He blitzed off the edge, got a sack, caused a fumble, had several tackles. Just a very smart player and he’s a very valuable player to our team because he can do so many different things.”
Jackson has 13 tackles n two games. The Texans will need even more from him with Kevin Johnson sidelined for the next four to six weeks with a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament.
“Definitely tough losing a guy like Kevin, being that he’s one of the major parts of our defense and in our secondary room,” Jackson said. “For us as a team, we kind of pride ourselves on the next man up. The next guy has to step in, has to have a great week of practice and we expect him to go out and perform just as good as Kev does.”
Taking on the best
The Texans’ defense faces a more difficult task Sunday at Gillette Stadium against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Their offense is headlined by arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history in Tom Brady.
“Arguably the best to ever play the position,” Jackson said. “He’s done some great things over his career, so any time we can see him, whether it’s preseason, practicing against them, it’s definitely going to bring out the best in us as a team.”
Jackson is being counted on to provide sound coverage with Johnson out, A.J. Bouye now with Jacksonville and fellow starter Johnathan Joseph coming off a shoulder injury.
“A ton of football left to play, but I feel like I’m in a good spot physically,” Jackson said. “I’m doing what I need to do to be a contributor to help the team win. For me, that’s my main thing — to be healthy and to be out there and help the team any way I can.”