The total value of the deal is $44.805 million and includes $20.5 million guaranteed, $11.395 million of which is a signing bonus. His base salaries are $605,000 guaranteed this year, $5.5 million guaranteed in 2009, $6.105 million with $3 million of that guaranteed in 2010, $7.2 million in 2011 and $7 million in both 2012 and 2013.

The Rams or Jackson can void the final two years of the contract if Jackson averages 1,200 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving over the next four seasons (2008 through 2011). Playing in just 12 games last season, Jackson rushed for 1,002 yards and totaled 271 yards receiving.

If the final two years are voided, the total value of the four-year contract is $30.805 million. The Rams also would have the option of placing the franchise tag on Jackson in 2012 if the final two years are voided, but that would be pricey. His salary-cap figure will be right at $9.1 million in 2011, so the franchise tag would be at least $10.92 million in 2012. Jackson will be 29 years old in July, 2012.

Now, there is only limited to get Jackson ready for the season opener in Philadelphia Sept. 7.

Said coach Scott Linehan, "I'm very happy that it's over and that we can put this behind us. It gives us more time than if it had gone another three, four days because there's a lot of stuff we can get done with Steven leading up till then. He will get plenty of extra work and we've got a plan for that. I'm very happy it happened now and it wasn't any later."

Jackson took limited reps in his first practice of the summer the day he reported and did not play Saturday night against Baltimore. However, he said he is more than willing to play in the preseason finale against Kansas City Thursday. That game is one where starters often don't play at all.

"I would love to play in the final preseason game," Jackson said. "I know I missed a lot of time. Whatever game tempo, game action I can get. I will be willing to take a full load if I need to."

Linehan said there is a lot of work to be done prior to the season opener. Aside from walk-throughs, and including this week, there are only six practices remaining before that first game.

"We've got a plan to get him extra work," Linehan said. "We've got to get the physical part; it's not like you can replace two-a-days, but you can certainly work him physically to where he's getting himself in shape that way. And he's got to carry his pads probably a little bit more here even on days when we're not in pads so we can have him get knocked around a little bit."

As for what can be expected from Jackson against the Eagles, Linehan said, "We can get a lot out of him. The plan's really not going to be a whole lot different than it would be without his absence, but one advantage is that we have a lot of time spent with the entire group of running backs. They have given us a very quality camp and improved and we feel very, very confident about them being able to, at times, play. Whether that means a series or situations; that we have not determined yet, but all those things would be considered leading up to that game."

Said Jackson, when asked if he will be totally ready for the opener, "I definitely believe so. I'm physically in shape. I just have to get used to the hits. Hopefully (this) week, I can get some of the scout teams to get after me so I can get used to hitting the ground, taking contact and carrying the ball.

"I just want to make sure that I have the repetitions, muscle memory of plays, that I'm not thinking, I'm just reacting on the go. I really expect that (this) week is going to be a heavy load for me during practice. I missed some critical days, but I'm willing to put in the extra time to make up for it."