It seems that several of the football players that have been served game suspensions are able to come off early one way or another.  Some for good behavior and some if they are traded to another team.  The latter of which being the case for wide receiver Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers.

Jackson was originally given a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy for substance abuse and then was handed an additional suspension of three games when San Diego placed the WR on the roster-exempt list due to not reporting to the team because he was still an unrestricted free agent and was unable to reach an agreement on a contract with the Chargers.

The Pro-Bowler now has the opportunity to reduce that six-game suspension and be eligible to play in Game 5; however, as with anything there are restrictions.  Jackson must be traded from the San Diego Chargers, a team that he has been with for his entire NFL career of five seasons, in order to play in the fifth week of the NFL.

In August, the Chargers offered a one-year contract but it was slapped down back Jackson, who ultimately wants only a long-term contract with San Diego.  If he stays with the Chargers, he’ll be required to service the entire six-game suspension that he was originally dealt but if he trades and goes to another team, he’ll only miss out on four games – one game more than his original suspension for the violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

San Diego has from Friday, September 17, to Wednesday, September 22, to initiate a trade.  If he is unable to be traded by the deadline, which is 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, he will be required to serve the entire six-game suspension he was dealt.  There are some teams that are reportedly interested in Jackson including the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, as well as the Washington Redskins.

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