San Diego’s Jackson is arrested on suspicion of drunk driving

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of drunk driving.

Jackson failed sobriety tests shortly after 2 a.m. on State Route 52 in San Diego, a California Highway Patrol officer said. Jackson, whose blood-alcohol level was unknown, was on probation for a previous DUI arrest.

The player was taken to the San Diego County Jail and released.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said he was aware of Jackson’s “off-the-field issue.”

Jackson, in a statement released through the team, said he didn’t think charges would be filed against him.

“In the event they are, I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence,” he said.

Mawae uncertain

During a radio interview before practice, Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was asked whether he would play Saturday in the AFC divisional playoff game against Baltimore.

“No, I’m not going to play this week,” Mawae said before trying to soften that answer. “It’s still questionable. We’re day to day, and hopefully things progress to where I’ll be able to play next week.”

Told of Mawae’s comment, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he still was hoping the veteran could play.

Jets do some talking

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson formally met with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer about the team’s coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told the Associated Press.

General Manager Mike Tannenbaum began the first round of interviews with Schottenheimer and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan last week.

Brees is top player

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees won the Associated Press NFL offensive player of the year award. Brees threw for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Dan Marino’s 1984 mark and only the second time someone has eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in a season.

Etc.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer won’t need surgery on his right elbow and should be ready for the team’s regular off-season workouts. Team spokesman Jack Brennan said the latest MRI exam on Palmer’s elbow indicates the quarterback won’t need an operation to repair a ligament and tendon partially torn from the bone. . . . The Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator Rick Dennison met with team owner Pat Bowlen after expressing interest in the head coaching position following Mike Shanahan’s firing last week. The Broncos spoke with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett later Tuesday afternoon. Leslie Frazier, the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, will interview today. . . . Career sacks leader Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Shannon Sharpe and John Randle are among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the only first-year eligible players to make the final round. Joining them will be former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, and two senior nominees: former Atlanta defensive end Claude Humphrey and former Dallas wide receiver Bob Hayes.