San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who has been holding out this summer, reportedly is scheduled to have his hearing in front of an arbitrator Thursday morning to determine whether he must sit out three or six games to start the season. Yahoo! Sports reports a decision could come as early as Friday.
The Vikings have been one of the primary teams mentioned as a possible landing spot for Jackson.
If it’s ruled Jackson has to sit out only three games a deal could be made quickly. Jackson, who has had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, is suspended for the first three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Jackson also is subject to a three-game suspension that will follow his initial ban because he is on the Chargers’ roster exempt list.
The NFLPA is arguing that if Jackson is traded he shouldn’t have to sit out those final three games. Jackson could be a big help to the Vikings, who are without Sidney Rice for the first half of the season.
John Sullivan smiled when asked about his conditioning level in last Thursday’s season opener at New Orleans. The Vikings center missed almost the entire training camp and all four preseason games because of a calf injury.
“I have some catching up to do,” he said. “It can get better, let’s put it that way.”
Sullivan said he was a “little rusty” and got winded during a 16-play drive in the second quarter that lasted 9 minutes, 25 seconds.
“I kind of settled in better in the second half conditioningwise,” he said. “I was really feeling it after that long drive that led to the field goal in the second quarter. But you do what you have to do when you’re out there. You’ve got guys relying on you. There’s no time to rest.”
according to startribune.com
