Report: Texans unlikely to tag Kareem Jackson

The Houston Texans haven't used the franchise tag on a player since 2008 and are unlikely to break that habit this year with cornerback Kareem Jackson, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

That should suit Jackson just fine, though. He told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday that he'd prefer to sign a long-term deal rather than be tagged.

"It is something I would rather not do, I would want to be locked in long-term with some stability," Jackson said, according to P.D. Starr of Scout.com. "I really haven't put much thought into being tagged."

Jackson, a five-year starter for Houston, would be guaranteed a one-year contract worth $13.05 million if given the franchise tag. McClain reports the Texans have every intention of bringing Jackson back next season, but may be limited by their cap space. 

The 2015 NFL salary cap is projected at $142 million, which would leave the Texans at about $10 million under.

The Texans have nine players set to become unrestricted free agents and Jackson is expected to command the most lucrative contract of the bunch. McClain reports Jackson would prefer to stay in Houston, so the big question is whether the Texans can afford to keep him.