Asa Jackson Suspended for Eight Games

UPDATE: Coach John Harbaugh addressed Asa Jackson's suspension after practice Friday.

"The reaction to that is that you've got to follow the rules," Harbaugh said. "If you don't follow the rules, you get suspended. That's a fair rule. There's no place for that. And he's getting what he deserves. As far as what it does to our corner depth, it's one less corner. We'll be missing Asa. If he'll be back after that, time will tell."

Harbaugh was then asked if this suspension will have any kind of affect on his standing with the team when the coaching staff makes their final roster decisions at the end of August.

"It really doesn't because it doesn't count against your 53-man roster., so it just means he's out of the picture," Harbaugh said. "What he needs to do is have a great camp and make us want him back after eight weeks, and try to be in position to help us during the second half of the season. It will be a big challenge for him. We've talked about it quite a bit. He's up for that challenge."

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Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson will be suspended for eight games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drugs policy.

An NFL spokesman released a statement to the media detailing the terms of the suspension.

"Asa Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has been suspended without pay for the team's first eight games of the 2013 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Jackson will be eligible to return to the Ravens' active roster on Monday, November 4 following the team's November 3 game against the Cleveland Browns. Jackson is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games."

This is Jackson's second positive test for PEDs, his first coming midseason a year ago. Jackson released a statement to the Baltimore Sun, saying he'll have to be accountable for this latest issue.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Asa Jackson: &#39;I now have the required approval, but the positive test occurred before it was approved.&#39;</p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/363395876720345088">August 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Asa Jackson: &#39;The policy is very strict, so I have chosen to be immediately accountable.&#39;</p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/363395942147301376">August 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Asa Jackson: &#39;I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, and Ravens fans.&#39;</p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/363396034543628288">August 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Asa Jackson. &#39;I look forward to training hard during the discipline period and contributing to the team immediately upon my return.&#39;</p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/363396146753839105">August 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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You have to wonder what this means for Jackson's NFL tenure in Baltimore. Out eight games with the Ravens not forced to pay him could cause him to wind up on the free agent market. For guys such as veteran Chris Johnson and undrafted rookie Moe Lee, a door may have just opened up to the 53-man roster that otherwise wasn't before.

Jackson only appeared in three games during the 2012 season and recorded one tackle.

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