Bucs S Jackson reinstated to NFL

Tampa Bay safety Tanard Jackson has been reinstated to the NFL after being suspended more than a year for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The Buccaneers said Tuesday that the fifth-year pro has been placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list, which means the Bucs will have up to two weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster. Jackson was a fourth round draft pick in 2007 and started 32 consecutive games to begin his career. He was suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He was disciplined again for a minimum of a year in September 2010. The safety became eligible for reinstatement on Sept. 22.