DeSean Jackson has a date with the Philadelphia Eagles that he intends on making no matter what his body tells him. The Washington Redskins wide receiver has been thinking about a matchup against his former team ever since he signed within the division following getting released. Jackson spent six seasons with Eagles as one of their top playmakers, but was released after gang-related rumors began swirling. Despite being injured, Jackson says he intends on playing this game.
Jackson did not practice on Wednesday after spraining his shoulder last week. He was listed as day-to-day on the injury report, but made it clear to the media that he will be playing in the highly-anticipated matchup with the Eagles.
"I don't think an AC joint is jeopardizing my career in the long haul," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "If it's all on me, I'm playing. I don't plan on missing this game."
Head coach Jay Gruden noted that he did expect Jackson active in the Week 3 game. The team intends to test the wide receiver on Friday to see how healthy he is before making a definite decision, but he said that Jackson was tough and has been improving since the original injury happened.
Jackson would not totally address getting released by the Eagles after he set career highs in catches (82) and yards (1,332) just one season ago with Nick Foles at quarterback. However, once rumors began to surface that Jackson was involved in gang-related activity and without much proof to go on, Chip Kelly outright released him. The Redskins picked him up off the free agent market and Jackson has not looked back ever since.
"That's their decision. They moved on. I moved on," Jackson said. "I'm blessed to have a second opportunity to play here in Washington. It's not about them anymore. ... Since day one, since I stepped in here with this organization, I was just myself. I didn't really change. They accepted me for who I was. I didn't really have to prove anything to them because they knew what type of player and person I was."
The Redskins need Jackson healthy as Kirk Cousins enters the game as the starting quarterback. Jackson, along with Pierre Garcon will handle the receiving group. With Jordan Reed injured, Niles Paul is a fantasy sleeper in this upcoming matchup as he takes over the tight end position.
