Vincent Jackson due to sign tender

Source: Associate Press

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will report to the San Diego Chargers next week and sign his contract tender, his agent said Thursday.

By reporting Oct. 29, Jackson will be able to serve a three-game, team-imposed suspension on the roster exempt list, then play in the final six games to accrue his sixth season toward unrestricted free agency.

Last week, the NFL Players Association recommended that Jackson report to the team in time to gained an accrued season.

Jackson won't be paid when he misses his first three games while on the roster exempt list. He was placed on the list by A.J. Smith. Jackson will be eligible to return to the Chargers for a game at Indianapolis on Nov. 28. Counting the six games he plays and the bye week, he'll earn $240,058 rather than the $3,268,000 he would have made had he signed his tender as a restricted free agent before the season.

The Chargers (2-4) could use Jackson sooner than he's going to be available. They might be without Philip Rivers' top two targets, tight end Antonio Gates and wideout Malcom Floyd when they host New England on Sunday. They missed practice Thursday, as did wide receivers Legedu Naanee and Buster Davis.

A.J. Smith's unwillingness to sign Jackson to a long-term deal is believed to stem from the player's off-field issues. He was suspended for the season's first three games by the NFL after pleading guilty in February to his second DUI since 2006.

Hours before the playoff game against the Jets, Jackson was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded following a traffic stop. Jackson was pulled over near team headquarters for playing loud music, then cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.

To make matters worse, Jackson drew a 15-yard penalty for kicking the challenge flag thrown onto the field by Jets coach Rex Ryan, one of three personal fouls called against the Chargers during the embarrassing 17-14 loss.

The window for trading Jackson came and went without the Chargers moving him. There were several teams interested, but Jackson agent claims that the Chargers were asking for unreasonable compensation.