DeSean Jackson - Pro Football Rumors

DJax To Miss 3-4 Weeks With Injury

September 14th, 2015 at 1:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson is expected to miss 3-4 weeks of action with a hamstring injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Of course, nothing is set in stone yet as far as recovery time goes and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) has a slightly more optimistic timetable, saying that Jackson will miss “at least a game or two and potentially more.”

Jackson, 29 in December, hooked on with Washington in 2014 after he was released by the rival Eagles. In his first season in D.C., Jackson caught 56 passes for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler has missed nine regular season games over the course of his career.

Extra Points: Sam, CJ2K, D-Jax, Ravens

August 6th, 2015 at 9:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Montreal Alouettes are feeling very good about Michael Sam‘s progress and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) would be very surprised if he doesn’t make his CFL debut Friday night. Sam left the CFL team for personal reasons over the summer but recently returned to practice. Here’s more from around the NFL..

Despite talk and speculation to the contrary, there’s nothing going on between the Texans and running back Chris Johnson, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (on Twitter) hears from a source. Johnson, who survived a drive-by shooting earlier this year, has gone unsigned so far this offseason.
Following a collision with a blocking sled, DeSean Jackson has been diagnosed with a separated shoulder, and the Washington wideout is expected to miss “a few weeks,” per Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Jackson should be ready to go for the regular season, so he figures to remain on the active roster.
The Ravens didn’t immediately sign ex-Niner Chris Cook following his workout with the team today, but it’s clear Baltimore is still considering adding a veteran cornerback, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
Bears rookie wide receiver Kevin White could start the year on the PUP list, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). White, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft, reportedly expects to begin running on his injured shin early next week.
Joel Corry of CBSSports.com passes along a couple more details on DeAndre Levy‘s extension with the Lions, tweeting that the deal drops the linebacker’s base salary to $3.5MM in 2015, but he’ll receive a $12MM signing bonus.

Washington Notes: Jackson, RGIII, Pot Roast

July 1st, 2015 at 10:15am CST by Zachary Links

Washington tight end Jordan Reed has dealt with a litany of health issues since breaking into the league in 2013. Given his knee injuries, concussions, and hamstring troubles, a reader asks CSNWashington.com’s Rich Tandler if he feels that Reed will be a focal point of the offense in 2015, if healthy. Tandler can see Reed starting out the year playing about 50% of the snaps with his workload increasing to 70% if things go well. At that point, Reed could theoretically cement himself as a key member of the offense, though Tandler notes that his workload has never been especially high. Here’s today’s look at Washington D.C…

Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson said the Eagles “tried to blow me up” with a “smear campaign” after his release in 2014, John Keim of ESPN.com writes. “When I was released by the Eagles, I feel they tried to paint a picture that definitely wasn’t true. It was a slap in the face, coming off one of my best seasons in the NFL,” Jackson said on his new TV show. Jackson went on to boast about how he has made the most of his “second chance to play in the NFL” after a strong season with Washington. In 2014, Jackson caught 56 passes for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns.
Former Washington quarterback Mark Brunell has defended Robert Griffin III against critics before, but it appears that he is no longer in his corner, as Scott Allen of the Washington Post writes. “I do not [think he can play in the NFL],” Brunell said on ESPN. “From what I’ve seen the last couple of years — listen, he burst onto the scene and that was impressive — but like I said, he has gone backwards. It’s not just his decision-making, it’s his fundamentals. He’s taking too many hits, he’s quick to get out of the pocket. Last year was difficult to watch. Does he have the skill set? Yes, but we haven’t seen it in some time.” Washington exercised Griffin’s 2016 option back in late April.
Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com looked at the nose tackle position behind prized offseason acquisition Terrance Knighton. With the ability to play both defensive end and nose tackle, Kedric Golston might have a leg up on the competition. That leaves Jerrell Powe and Robert Thomas on the roster bubble. Powe was signed on June 1st after appearing in 16 games last season for the Texans with three starts. Thomas, meanwhile, spent most of last season on the taxi squad after signing on as a UDFA.

NFC Mailbags: Washington, Glennon, Panthers, McClain

June 6th, 2015 at 11:33am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some interesting notes from the NFC…

If DeSean Jackson struggles in 2015, John Keim could envision the wideout playing elsewhere in 2016. Washington selected Jamison Crowder in the fourth round, so they have young wideouts to move forward with. However, if the veteran produces, Keim could see the Pro Bowler sticking around.
Pat Yasinskas believes Mike Glennon will spend this season with the Buccaneers, even if the quarterback has a good preseason and improves his trade value. The 25-year-old is a solid backup, and the writer believes the team would have already dealt Glennon if they had any intention to move him.
With the Cam Newton deal wrapped up, David Newton would expect the Panthers to sign linebacker Thomas Davis to a new deal prior to training camp. Since Luke Kuechly will definitely be on the roster for the 2016 season, the writer believes the team won’t rush to sign the former Defensive Player of the Year.
When asked why Rolando McClain took so long to opt for surgery, Todd Archer clarified that surgery is always a “last-case option.” However, the writer questions why the Cowboys linebacker hasn’t been at Valley Ranch for rehab.

NFC East Notes: Bryant, Jackson, Eagles

June 3rd, 2015 at 5:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Cowboys quarterback and current radio color commentator Babe Laufenberg (via the The Dallas Morning News) watched the Cowboys’ practice on Wednesday and wasn’t sure what to make of the defense. Ultimately, the unit he saw today will not be the same one fans see in Week 1 against the Giants. Greg Hardy could be suspended, Demarcus Lawrence and Rolando McClain could be sidelined, and it remains to be seen where Randy Gregory‘s head is at. Here’s more out of the NFC East..

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones has not talked recently with Dez Bryant’s agents but he remains hopeful something can be worked out. At the same time, he does not feel pressured to do a deal by the deadline, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. “We know he will be a Cowboy this year,” Jones said. “If he ends up playing this year under the tag we will go right back to work again next year. Now would we like to get a long term deal on him? Of course we would. We’ll work hard to do that and I’m sure we’ll make a push at some point and see if we can make it work. If not, hopefully he will understand it’s difficult to make a deal at this point and he’ll come in and get ready to play.” When and if Bryant signs his tender, he’ll be guaranteed a $12.823MM salary. The deadline to hammer out a long-term pact is July 15th.
In a chat with reporters, Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson didn’t go into detail on what kept him away from OTAs last week, but he did mention his reality TV show on BET and that he is preparing for the birth of a child, Mike Jones of the Washington Post writes. Team president Bruce Allen on Monday said he wasn’t concerned with Jackson’s absence. “I had personal things I had to do back home,” Jackson said. “I’m a veteran in this league, going on my eighth year. Communication with my head coach and the guys here, they knew about it. Like I said, I had things I had to do, I was obligated to do back home in California. I’m here now, and I’m happy to be here with my teammates, and they’ve been putting in some great work, so I’m just trying to catch up and get back in the swing of things. But I had things I had to handle.”
The Eagles announced that they have finalized their scouting department overhaul, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes. The most significant move is the promotion of Trey Brown from West Coast scout to assistant director of college scouting. Brown, entering his third season with the organization after three with the Patriots, will essentially assume the responsibilities held by former director of college scouting Anthony Patch, who was fired recently.

East Notes: Carr, RGIII, Cannon

June 1st, 2015 at 6:14pm CST by Luke Adams

In a series of several tweets, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram checks in on the Brandon Carr situation in Dallas, writing that the Cowboys haven’t approached the cornerback’s agent recently about a possible pay cut. The team did so earlier in the offseason, but was rebuffed, and now it seems as if Carr may head into the 2015 season with his contract unchanged. According to Hill, nothing is set in stone yet, but Carr has talked to the media about the issue more than he’s talked to the team about it.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:

Speaking at the team’s charity golf tournament on Monday, Washington president Bruce Allen touched on a handful of topics, calling the decision to pick up Robert Griffin III‘s fifth-year option a “no-brainer,” according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. Allen also said that DeSean Jackson‘s absence from the club’s OTAs isn’t a concern (link via Scott Allen of the Washington Post), and suggested that Washington is still keeping an eye on players to acquire (link via ESPN.com’s John Keim).
According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Marcus Cannon‘s contract with the Patriots includes a $35K weight bonus — to earn that bonus, the offensive lineman must be under 345 pounds today.
A first-round pick in 2012, wide receiver A.J. Jenkins has been traded by the 49ers and cut by the Chiefs, and now hopes his third team is the charm. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com writes that Jenkins is grateful for the opportunity he’s getting from the Cowboys, who signed him last week.

NFC East Notes: RGIII, Mariota, Hardy, Eagles

March 20th, 2015 at 9:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Buccaneers, Titans, and Jets have very clear needs at quarterback, and top prospects Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota could represent great options at the top of the draft for those teams. The Jaguars and Raiders hope they filled that hole in the draft last season.

The one team that could possibly go either way is Washington. Even with Robert Griffin III in the fold, if they have the chance to draft Mariota with the fifth pick, it might make sense, writes John Keim in his mailbag for ESPN. Even if the team does draft a quarterback with intention of replacing Griffin, Keim believes both Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy would still have a place on the depth chart.

For the record, he doesn’t see the team getting a chance at either of the two top passers.

Here are some more notes from around the NFC East:

Keim has not written off the RGIII era in Washington just yet. He addresses the team’s options should Griffin return to his 2012 Pro Bowl form. Keim writes that the team will engage Griffin in long-term extension talks should he perform at a high level this season, and would be able to franchise the former first-round pick if they cannot come to an agreement. He writes that the only decision coming is whether or not to exercise Griffin’s fifth-year option by May 3rd, at a price tag of about $16MM.
After jettisoning DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin off the team over the past two offseasons, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has built a receiving corps focused on more than speed and experience. Kelly places a high priority on other facets of the position, including toughness, blocking, and running hard routes, writes Jeff McClane of Philly.com. He adds that Kelly understands the value of an elite receiver who can get himself open and make difficult catches, but wasn’t ready to pay Maclin as if he was one of the truly elite pass catchers in the league.
The Cowboys made a stride to significantly improve their defense by signing Greg Hardy, but the move is met with mixed feelings by many in Texas and across Cowboy nation. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawling is among those disappointed in the team, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. “I’m a big Cowboys fan. I love them to death and I want them to beat the Eagles every time they play,” said Rawlings. “But at some point, being a sports fan gets trumped by being a father, husband, wanting to do what’s right for women, so this is not a good thing. I don’t think I’m going to be buying Hardy jerseys any time soon.”

Injury Updates: Sunday

November 30th, 2014 at 6:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at some injuries that could force clubs to make a change to their rosters as they enter the final quarter of the regular season:

Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel suffered a triceps injury during today’s game against the Saints, meaning his season could be in jeopardy, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Keisel, 36, contemplated retirement before re-signing with Pittsburgh earlier this year, so if this injury is serious, it could potentially signal the end of his career.
Receiver DeSean Jackson had to leave Washington’s game against the Colts after bruising his right fibula, but X-rays didn’t show any broken bones, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Jackson, who allowed that he was in pain, called himself day-to-day.
In the same game, Colts cornerback Vontae Davis was forced to leave after suffering a concussion, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Davis will presumably enter the league’s concussion protocol, which immediately leaves his Week 14 status in doubt.
Titans receiver Justin Hunter suffered an alarming injury today, as he lacerated his spleen against the Texans, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. He will remain in the hospital overnight.
Another receiver was sent to the hospital today, as Browns pass-catcher Miles Austin had to leave the field in a stretcher after suffering abdominal pain, per Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Cardinals lost three starters during today’s game, as running back Andre Ellington (hip), defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (thumb) and guard Paul Fanaika (ankle) all left Arizona’s contest against the Falcons and were soon declared out for the day, the team announced on Twitter.

NFC West Notes: 49ers, Britt, Lynch

November 19th, 2014 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Before landing in Washington, DeSean Jackson seriously contemplated the idea of joining the 49ers in free agency, the veteran wideout told reporters today, including Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

“I had some talks with them, the general manager, coach [Jim] Harbaugh, things like that,” Jackson said during a conference call. “It was a close call. Almost made a trip to come out there. But Washington did what did to keep me here and did everything right. Coach Harbaugh and I played against each other, when he was at Stanford and I was at Cal. I respect him. It was a close call but I came here.”

As we contemplate what the Niners’ offense might’ve looked like with Jackson in the fold, let’s round up a few more items from out of the NFC West….

If there’s tension in San Francisco between Harbaugh and the 49ers‘ front office, it doesn’t affect the players on the roster, according to running back Frank Gore. Appearing on the Jim Rome Show, Gore said that he and his teammates “don’t even think about it.”
At this point, there haven’t been any known communications or negotiations between the Rams and Kenny Britt‘s agent, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, the wideout, whose contract expires at season’s end, would like to stick with the Rams if he can. “Hopefully I can stay here after this season and be in this locker room,” Britt said. “It’s hard to put a team together like this in the locker room, with this chemistry.”
As a result of his decision not to speak to reporters after Sunday’s loss against the Chiefs, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been fined $100K by the league, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com details. The league will collect $50K for this incident, as well as a $50K fine for a previous violation, which had been held in abeyance in anticipation of Lynch’s future cooperation.

NFC East Notes: Jackson, Giants, Cowboys

September 17th, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

With the Eagles and Redskins set to meet for the first time this season in Week 3, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer revisits the Eagles’ decision to cut wideout DeSean Jackson in the offseason. As McLane writes, Jackson’s former Philadelphia teammates still aren’t entirely sure why the explosive receiver was cut.

“I didn’t see it coming at all,” linebacker Mychal Kendricks said last week. “It’s really none of my business, but I still ask the same question a lot – ‘Why? Why would that happen?'”

Here’s more from around the NFC East:

Several linebackers auditioned for the Giants this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), who identifies Stephen Nicholas, Kion Wilson, Moise Fokou, and James Davidson as free agents to work out for the club.
The Cowboys are also eyeing free agent options on the defensive side of the ball, having worked out linebacker Paul Hazel this week, along with defensive ends Steven Means and T.J. Fatinikun, tweets Wilson.
Offensive tackle Chris Faulk tried out for the Redskins this week, per Wilson (via Twitter).