Texans LCB Kareem Jackson reported to OTAs at 208 pounds, 16 pounds heavier than his listed playing weight last season.

As the Houston Chronicle's Lance Zierlein points out, that's far too heavy for a 5-foot-10 cornerback. The Texans will likely want Jackson to get back under 200 by the time training camp rolls around. Jackson graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 13 corner last season, and he's entering his fourth year.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips expects Kareem Jackson to return as the Texans' starting right corner in 2012.

The Texans lost Jason Allen, with whom Jackson rotated in 2011, and they'll count on him to be a full-time player in 2012. "I think Kareem's the starter," Phillips said. "... Kareem had a good year. Part of it was we had a good year defensively, but he had something to do with that. He played physical like we thought he would and he obviously played better than he did previously."

Texans declared CB Kareem Jackson (questionable, knee) inactive for Week 4 against Pittsburgh.

RB Arian Foster will start and is expected to see a heavy workload, and Ben Tate will be his backup with Derrick Ward (out, ankle) sidelined. CB Sherrick McManis (doubtful, hamstring) will sit. QB T.J. Yates, WR David Anderson, T Andrew Gardner and G Thomas Austin are all healthy scratches.

Kareem Jackson is still getting pushed by Jason Allen for the starting corner job opposite Johnathan Joseph.

New Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips admits CB Kareem Jackson needs "a lot of work" on his technique.

"I guess he was able to play at Alabama without a lot of technique without worrying about staying low enough or moving his feet," said Phillips. "I think that caught up with him. I think we can coach him." This is an area where Jackson is really hurt by the lockout. Phillips will have limited teaching time before Jackson is thrown back into the fire.

New Texans DBs coach Vance Joseph considers 2010 first-round pick Kareem Jackson more of a zone than man-to-man corner at this stage.

New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips recently stated a similar sentiment, questioning Jackson's deep speed. Phillips' defense utilizes more man than zone concepts in the secondary, so Jackson is going to have to make some major changes. For 2011 fantasy matchup purposes, you can safely bet we'll be recommending to target Jackson with opposing wide receivers.

Texans GM Rick Smith expects "exponential growth" from CB Kareem Jackson in his second season.

Jackson was supposed to be NFL-ready after playing under Nick Saban at Alabama, but he was the worst cornerback in the league as a rookie. "He learned a lot last year," insisted Smith. "He knows he didn't perform the way he wanted to or needs to. He's committed to doing that." It sounds like the Texans are still counting on Jackson to be a starter in season two.

The Texans' Kareem Jackson finished last in the league in yards per pass (11.1) and YAC allowed (6.0) in Football Outsiders' 2010 metrics.

Houston typically starts first-round picks from day one and Jackson was no exception, left on an island with little competent safety help. He and the Cowboys' Mike Jenkins were the worst corners in the league last season. The Texans will overhaul the 32nd-ranked secondary heading into 2011. Without improvement from Jackson, though, they're still going to be a fantasy feast.

The player rep for Kareem Jackson said the cornerback realizes he used bad judgment and that it was insensitive to post cockfighting photos to his Twitter account earlier this week.

"Kareem understands exactly why it's an issue, and he'll learn from it," the agent said. "He's talked to the team. He talked to the general manager. Now he's ready to move on." The incident should blow over without discipline for Jackson.

Vacationing in the Dominican Republic, Texans CB Kareem Jackson recently posted photos of cockfighting on his Twitter page.

Cockfighting is not against the law in the Dominican Republic. But after the Michael Vick dog-fighting fiasco, it's going to make news whenever an NFL player's name is attached to inhumane treatment of animals. Jackson may be on the receiving end of a lecture about using good judgment, but he's unlikely to face discipline.

Among NFL cornerbacks, only DeAngelo Hall (615) has allowed more receiving yards than Kareem Jackson's 580 this season.

Opposing QBs are 32-of-63 for 580 yards and four TDs against Jackson and 27-of-46 for 370 yards and three TDs against Glover Quin. The worst offender by far, though, is strong safety Bernard Pollard, who has been burned at a rate of 22-of-29 for 370 yards and seven TDs(!).

Texans coach Gary Kubiak gave rookie CB Kareem Jackson a vote of confidence Monday and said Jackson will not lose his starting job after serving up two long touchdowns to Seyi Ajirotutu in Week 9.

Great news for fantasy wideouts. "I believe in the kid," said Kubiak. "His teammates believe in him. I believe he's the best guy to be back there." The Texans have used Glover Quin against No. 1 receivers, and Jackson has been burned relentlessly by No. 2s. Houston plays Jacksonville next.

Texans RCB Kareem Jackson was burned for touchdown passes of 28 and 55 yards in length by Seyi Ajirotutu in Houston's Week 9 loss.

Jackson is a first-round rookie out of Alabama; Ajirotutu went undrafted out of Fresno State. The Texans' rookie insists he hasn't lost his confidence, but we've got to believe otherwise. He's been getting burned all year. Texans DC Frank Bush will have to consider benching Jackson in the near future.

First-round rookie Kareem Jackson is the Texans' starting right corner, as expected.

Jackson, the No. 20 overall pick, was never going to be held off by Brice McCain. He was a three-year starter at Alabama and entered the league ready to play. This secondary is on the rise.

Texans first-round pick CB Kareem Jackson will make his preseason debut Saturday night against the Saints.

Jackson missed the preseason opener to attend the funeral of his grandmother. Said coach Gary Kubiak, "I don't think he's behind physically by any means, because he never missed anything in the offseason or throughout camp." Look for Jackson to take the starting job opposite Glover Quin and never look back.

Texans CB Kareem Jackson will miss the team's preseason opener, as he is in Georgia to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kareem and his family. The rookie will be replaced by Brice McCain on the field for the game, but Jackson remains the clear cut favorite to start opposite Glover Quin come opening day.

Texans agreed to terms with No. 20 overall pick CB Kareem Jackson on a five-year contract.

Jackson, a three-year starter in Nick Saban's pro-style offense at Alabama, has been the Texans' starter at right corner "since the day he got off the plane in Houston." He'll join promising second-year left cornerback Quin Glover, who didn't allow a touchdown pass after he entered the starting lineup in Week 4 last season. The rebuilt Texans' secondary is looking up.

First-round CB Kareem Jackson was "exceptional" in spring practices, according to coach Gary Kubiak.

"He's everything we thought he would be," said Kubiak. "He has been a starter since the day he got off the plane here in Houston, and he will be a big-time contributor." Jackson will start at right corner opposite Glover Quinn in what looks like an underrated Texans secondary.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said that first-round CB Kareem Jackson is "way ahead" of where most rookies are right now.

Jackson is already running with the first team and he'll almost certainly be there on opening day. The 20th overall pick benefited greatly from playing in Nick Saban's defense at Alabama and we don't expect him to be a liability as a rookie.

First-round pick Kareem Jackson was immediately inserted with the Texans' first-team offense for the start of OTAs.

He won't be eased in. Jackson is ready after playing in Nick Saban's pro-style defensive scheme at Alabama, so there's no reason for the team to move slowly with the 20th overall pick. Glover Quin is the favorite to book end him.