Despite his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence early yesterday , Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson will play in Sunday 's AFC divisional playoff game at Pittsburgh .
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despite his arrest suspicion drive influence early yesterday chargers receiver vincent jackson play sunday afc divisional playoff game pittsburgh
Despite his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence early yesterday , Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson will play in Sunday 's AFC divisional playoff <m> game </m> at Pittsburgh .
Jackson arrested on DUI charge
Despite his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence early yesterday , Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson will play in Sunday 's AFC divisional playoff <m> game </m> at Pittsburgh .
Jackson , 25 , was driving east on state Route 52 near Interstate 805 just after 2:30 a.m. when he was pulled over for an observed traffic violation , California Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said .
Jackson faces the misdemeanor DUI allegation as well as charges that he was driving on probation for a prior DUI in June 2006 , Baehr said .
The results of a blood test are pending .
Jackson proffered his innocence in a statement released yesterday afternoon .
`` This morning I was stopped by an officer , '' Jackson said in the statement .
`` I do n't think any charges will be filed as a result of the stop .
In the event they are , I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence . ''
The arrest will not affect Jackson 's status for Sunday 's game .
The NFL 's collective bargaining agreement gives the league , not teams , authority to punish players for alcohol and substance abuses .
Any discipline by the league would be meted out for the 2009 season , several sources said .
A suspension certainly is possible .
The NFL 's substance-abuse policy states : `` Discipline for a second or subsequent offense is likely to be a suspension , the duration of which may escalate for repeat offenses . ''
Jared Allen , then with Kansas City , was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season after being charged with DUI twice in one year .
The NFL later reduced his suspension to two games .
Chargers players had the day off yesterday .
General Manager A.J. Smith issued the following statement on Jackson 's arrest :
`` We 're aware of the off-the-field issue involving Vincent .
Obviously , we 're disappointed .
We take these issues very seriously .
Moving forward , we will monitor the situation and have no further comment . ''
Jackson was driving a 2008 GMC Sierra registered to him , Baehr said .
He was booked into county jail and was released by 6 a.m. , Baehr said .
Jackson , in his fourth season , caught a career-high 59 passes and led the team with 1,098 yards , also a career high .
His seven receiving touchdowns were also a career best and second on the team .
Earlier this week , Smith called Jackson a `` true professional '' and `` ultimate team player '' for how hard Jackson played even while not catching any passes .
`` You win championships with players like Vincent Jackson , '' Smith said .
The general manager has put an emphasis on character and avoiding off-the-field issues .
The Chargers have not had any arrests become public this season and have been relatively trouble-free in recent years .
In 2006 , linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty Coronado policeman who suspected Foley of driving under the influence .
Foley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving and was placed on five years ' probation .
In July , he settled a lawsuit against the city of Coronado for $ 5.5 million .
Jackson 's contract runs through 2009 , and he is among the hottest young receivers in the league .
What becomes of this incident , combined with the previous DUI , could affect Jackson 's long-term future with the Chargers .
Smith has let go a number of players who have had off-the-field troubles .
While none was as productive or possessed the upside of Jackson , Smith did last February release tackle Shane Olivea just two years after signing Olivea to a contract that guaranteed him $ 9 million .
Olivea later underwent treatment for an addiction to pain killers .
`` You 're a Charger one year at a time , '' Smith has often said .
Recently , speaking of the lack of incidents involving his players , Smith said , `` It 's very important if you want to be a Charger you do the right things on and off the field . ''
The Chargers leave Friday for Pittsburgh , where they will face the Steelers at 1:45 p.m. Sunday .