Tanard Jackson, Redskins Safety, Suspended Indefinitely For Violating Substance Abuse Policy

is reporting that Washington Redskins safety Tanard Jackson has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the its drug policy for a third time.

The NFL announced Friday that Jackson will not be eligible to set foot near a football facility until August 31, 2013 — one full year after his suspension is leveled against him.

Jackson, who signed a one-year deal with the Redskins in the offseason, is subject to review next year, though he still is trying to appeal the suspension.

According to Yahoo!, Jackson’s previous two substance abuse related suspensions came during his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 2007 fourth-round pick was banished for four games in 2009 and for 12 months starting in September 2010.

The Buccaneers cut ties with Jackson in April after the safety failed a physical.

At the time, Tampa General Manager Mark Dominik said the decision to release the veteran defender was not the result of any new issues related to Jackson’s two previous suspensions from the league.

“What’s important to us as an organization is the growth of our football players and how they handle, on and off the field, becoming the best Buccaneer possible,” said Dominik. “That’s what we’re looking for. To us, ‘growth’ means becoming the best Buccaneer you can possibly be, and we want the growth of this football team to accelerate. That’s what it’s about.”

In Jackson’s absence the Redskins will be forced to reshuffle their reserve group (DeJon Gomes, Reed Doughty and Jordan Bernstine) behind starting safeties Brandon Meriweather and Madieu Williams.

Over the course of his five-year NFL career, Jackson has 239 tackles, 10 interceptions and 1.0 sacks in 56 games.