Buccaneers S Tanard Jackson, on the suspended list for the season's first four games, is eligible to return to the active roster beginning today.

Jackson was sidlined because of a league suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, and his lost was detrimental to the team. With fellow S Jermaine Phillips sidelined with a season-ending injury, the Bucs experienced a double dose of losses in the secondary in losing a pair of players who were the starting safeties last season.

But Jackson's return may or may not be seamless. While suspended, he was not permitted to practice with the team or participate in any team functions such as meetings under league policy. That means conditioning and timing could potentially be problems upon his return. He'll be evaluated in practice this week before any decision is made about his role.

"I haven't seen Tanard in four weeks," coach Raheem Morris said today. "We have to get him back in the building (and) let him practice to be fair to Will Allen, to be fair to Sabby (Piscitelli), to be fair to Tanard. You have to find out what Tanard is, what he can do and what he can't do."

The Bucs haven't officially announced Jackson's addition to the active roster. When they make the move, they'll have to release a player to make room on the 53-man roster.