There has been plenty of turnover, not only since Kareem Jackson played for the Houston Texans, but when Jackson was with the Texans.
Houston allowed Jackson to walk in free agency following the 2018 season. In 2019, the former 2010 first-rounder from Alabama played against his old team, collecting 11 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, three pass breakups, an interception, and returned a lateral 70 yards for a touchdown.
Not bad for a revenge game played on Dec. 8, 2019, at NRG Stadium on Battle Red Day.
Even though the general manager who didn’t re-sign him — Brian Gaine — was fired on June 7, 2019, coach Bill O’Brien was fired four games into 2020, and the franchise quarterback of that era is serving an 11-game suspension with the Cleveland Browns, playing the Texans will also generate feelings from Jackson.
“For me, obviously Houston is one of those places that will always resonate with me just because of the time that I spent there, regardless of who’s coaching there and who’s playing there,” Jackson told Denver reporters Wednesday. “I’m sure there’s still a couple of people over there that I’m friends with and that I know that were there when I was there.”
Jackson was also part of key moments in the franchise’s history, such as the 2011 AFC wild-card wherein the Texans got their first playoff win in team history. Jackson was also a part of the first five of six AFC South titles the franchise won. Jackson was also part of memorable seasons such as 2018 when Houston overcame an 0-3 start to rip off a nine-game winning streak that propelled Houston into the postseason.
Even though Jackson has memories with Houston, pro football is a business after all.
“For me at the end of the day, it’s another opportunity for us on the schedule and we have to all approach it that way,” said Jackson. “I’m sure everybody else will.”
