OWINGS MILLS - Ravens coach John Harbaugh publicly challenged cornerback Asa Jackson earlier this month to do enough during the final part of training camp and the preseason that Baltimore would want to keep him on the roster once his 8-game suspension is up in November.
Jackson appears to be off to a good start.
He's been beaten at coverage at times in Baltimore's first two preseason games, but he had an interception and forced fumble in the Ravens' preseason opener and had what proved to be a game-winning 78-yard punt return for a touchdown Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Jackson also appeared to have a strong practice Saturday. He batted away a long pass attempt early in practice and then deflected away an attempt at a two-point conversion on the last play of practice.
"I'm very pleased with Asa and how he's handled everything," Harbaugh said. "It's a process. ... It's tough. ... Sometimes, you've got to fight through, and he's done a great job of that."
Prior to the suspension, Jackson, a fifth-round pick of the Ravens last year, was competing for Baltimore's fifth or sixth cornerback job with veteran Chris Johnson and rookies Marc Anthony and Moe Lee, but the Ravens now don't have to make any decision as far as Jackson's place on the roster until after the eighth game of the season.
He doesn't count against Baltimore's 53-man roster while he's suspended.
"He's setting himself up for the second half," Harbaugh said. "That's the situation. [Whether] he earns the opportunity ... to be on the team when he comes back, that's what he's trying to do right now."
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