In all the Vincent Jackson drama in the last 20 hours, we neglected to mention a bit of roster housekeeping that took place in San Diego.
The North County Times reports Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill were officially placed on the roster exempt list on Friday night.
By rule, both players will now have to serve a three-game suspension after they sign. Scott Bair writes that Jackson would have to serve this absence with his new team in the even he was traded. (We’re working to confirm the particulars here, which seem odd.) Jackson was also suspended three games by the league for violating the substance abuse policy.
If Jackson could miss extra games with his new team, the Chargers just willingly lowered his trade value. We’ll follow up when we know more.
UPDATE: We are waiting to get official word from the NFL, but Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune passes along this information: If Jackson signs by September 4, he can serve his league suspension and be on the roster exempt list concurrently for three games.
Jackson, then, has the most trade value before Week 1.