DeSean Jackson remains one of the biggest-play receivers in the NFL, but the speedster might be starting to break down physically and was limited to three games last year with Philadelphia. Here are Jackson’s odds at Mybookie to win 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year as well as the Eagles’ over/under win total.
Originally selected by Philadelphia in the 2nd round (49th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, Jackson rejoined the Eagles following a trade with Tampa Bay during the 2019 offseason.
Jackson has recorded the most 60+ yard TDs (24) in NFL history and ranks 6th all-time in yards per reception (17.4). Among active players, the three-time Pro Bowler also ranks 5th in career receiving yards (10,420). In 2010, he was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 game as a wide receiver and return specialist.
Jackson has led the NFL in yards per reception four times in his career: 2018 (18.9), 2016 (17.9), 2014 (20.9) and 2010 (22.5). He joined Mike Quick (1982-90) and Harold Carmichael (1971-83) as the only players in Eagles history to register at least three seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards.
Jackson had a career-high 1,332 receiving yards in 2013, which marks the 2nd-highest single-season total in franchise history, trailing only Quick in 1983 (1,409). Finally, Jackson had one of the greatest plays in Eagles history, known as the “Miracle at the New Meadowlands” – a game-winning, 65-yard punt return TD as time expired on 12/19/10 at N.Y. Giants.
D-Jax owns the 6th-highest career receiving average (17.4) in NFL history, behind Stanley Morgan (19.2, 1977-90), Lance Alworth (18.9, 1962-72), Don Maynard (18.7, 1958-73), James Lofton (18.3, 1978-93) and Harold Jackson (17.9, 1968-83) (min. 500 receptions).
Last year, though, Jackson suffered a Grade 2 abdominal strain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed six games before returning against the Chicago Bears. Then Jackson suffered a torn abdominal muscle in the Chicago game and was ruled out of the season following surgery.
Jackson played only one full game all year, though he went nuts for 8 catches for 154 yards and two scores in Week 1. At 32 years, 281 days old, he became the 3rd-oldest player in NFL history to record multiple 50+ yard receiving TDs in a single game, trailing only Don Maynard (34 years, 268 days – 10/20/69 vs. Houston) and Jim Doran (33 years, 44 days – 9/24/60 vs. Pittsburgh).
“I put all my passion into this s— … I don’t care if anyone ever doubt that,” Jackson wrote in an Instagram post, adding that he’ll come back “stronger than ever.”
Jackson (core surgery) has confirmed he is back to 100 percent health. “A lot of ab work,” D-Jax said of his rehab. “I suffered a core injury so down in that area you’ve got to build all those core muscles and kind of get the strength back and doing a lot of single leg work and just the mobility stuff.”
Going on 33, Jackson has missed 19 games over the past three seasons. When he is on the field, Jackson has lost barely any of his prodigious speed. As training camp looms, the Eagles veteran posted a video on his Instagram showing Jackson flying during a recent workout, clocking out at about 23 miles per hour.
Jackson said “it’s gonna definitely be a culture shock” if NFL teams have to play in empty stadiums this season due to the coronavirus pandemic, but if that is the case, he believes players should wear microphones up to give fans a behind-the-scenes look they normally don’t get.
“I think they should [mike up players]. They should give fans the [insight] to see what really goes on between the white lines,” Jackson said. “It gets crazy, bro. I know in the trenches it gets crazy. And I know on the outside it gets crazy, too, the conversations we go back and forth on.”
Philly is a 6-point favorite Week 1 at NFC East rival Washington. Jackson played for the Redskins from 2014-16 and his last 1,000-yard season was with them in 2016.
