Broncos’ newest captain, S Kareem Jackson, is also the oldest: “He’s been a leader from the leap”

Denver defensive again P.J. Locke responded to the immediate with a figuring out smile and a little bit of a snort.

Received a minute to speak about Kareem Jackson?

The veteran security got here up this week in the Broncos locker room, after all, as a result of the week began with head coach Nathaniel Hackett asserting Jackson had been named a full-time defensive captain in the wake of the commerce of Bradley Chubb to Miami.

For Locke — and the Broncos’ secondary and protection as a entire — that designation modified precisely nothing.

“He’s been a leader from the leap,” Locke stated. “I used to be type of confused when the votes for captain got here out and he wasn’t certainly one of them. So, actually, he’s principally been our captain, simply with out the title. Or certainly one of them. He’s undoubtedly the most vocal one. All people goes to him for stuff, and when it’s time to interrupt it down, it was him or Chubb or (security Justin Simmons).

“He’s been a captain in everyone’s eyes. What the world noticed earlier than, that he wasn’t, they simply don’t know what goes on in the locker room.”

Jackson, 34, has not solely been a presence in the locker room however a steadying power on the area, too. The Thirteenth-year professional leads the Broncos’ protection in taking part in time and is the solely member of Denver’s beginning secondary that hasn’t missed motion because of harm. He’s performed all however certainly one of the Broncos’ 552 defensive snaps, per Denver Publish information, and is second on the workforce in tackles with 47.

“I also assume a lot of individuals don’t perceive behind closed doorways, you see what he does on the area, however behind closed doorways he’s such a professional at caring for his physique,” Locke stated. “We would finish follow at the moment round 2-3 p.m. and he may be right here till 5 p.m. doing additional remedy on his physique – getting in the ice tub, rolling out, stretching out, simply completely different stuff to deal with his physique. He’s a professional in that side too and that’s why he’s in a position to nonetheless play at a excessive stage at 34.”

Towards Jacksonville in London, Jackson had a season-high six solo tackles and completed tied for his season greatest with eight stops general.

“He’s been bringing that veteran presence that the locker room wants for a couple years now,” second-year cornerback Pat Surtain II stated. “While you get a man like that, now a captain, all of us see how he approaches the recreation and the way he carries himself.”

Jackson performed the first 9 years of his profession at cornerback in Houston however has settled in properly at security for the Broncos over the previous 4 seasons. This weekend he’ll be reunited with Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel. The pair’s taking part in careers in the NFL truly crossed over by a season in 2010 — Vrabel’s final of 14 seasons, spent in Kansas Metropolis, was Jackson’s rookie yr with the Texans — after which the pair have been collectively for 4 years in Houston. Vrabel was the Texans’ linebackers coach from 2014-16 after which the defensive coordinator in 2017 earlier than getting the Titans’ head teaching job.

“Certainly one of my favourite gamers to be round, actually,” Vrabel informed Denver reporters this week. “Would have beloved to have performed with Ok-Jack and guys like him. Ok-Jack, he’s an unbelievable teammate, has nice vitality in the locker room and in the assembly room, loves soccer. He’s a bodily participant, instinctive participant, any person that I’ve at all times had a lot of respect for and he is aware of that.”

Denver misplaced certainly one of its defensive leaders over the bye week in Chubb, however nonetheless has a wealth of defensive expertise in gamers like Simmons, defensive lineman D.J. Jones, linebacker Josey Jewell, injured cornerback Ronald Darby and, after all, the most skilled of the group. The newest — and oldest — captain.

“He’s the gel of the workforce, and particularly the protection,” inside linebacker Jonas Griffith stated. “He’s the veteran leader that everyone seems to. When he talks, everyone listens.”