Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson plans to enter a rehabilitation center in the near future to keep on the straight and narrow and return to the NFL, a team official said.
Jackson was suspended last week for one year after a third violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
Jackson isn't required to attend rehab, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Jackson, who attended Syracuse, also plans to finish his college degree while he serves his suspension.
The Bucs plan to stand by the talented safety, whose suspension had a drastic effect on their defense last weekend. The Pittsburgh Steelers attacked rookie safety Cody Grimm, who replaced Jackson in the starting lineup. Wide receiver Mike Wallace started the Steelers' offensive onslaught in their 38-13 victory by grabbing a 46-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Batch over Grimm, a seventh-round draft pick who struggled to track the ball.
In 46 games since he was drafted by the Bucs in the fourth round -- all starts -- Jackson totaled 204 tackles, 24 passes defensed and eight interceptions. He recorded a career-high five picks in 12 starts last season.
