The Buffalo Bills have released Fred Jackson as part of roster cuts and now the free agent could be an option for the Dallas Cowboys, while the Cleveland Browns also could be a free agent target, as the team has Duke Johnson dealing with an injury and it comes after the team was connected to Ray Rice on the market.
Jackson had been with the Bills since 2007 and NFL.com reports that general manager Doug Whaley said that the decision was a tough one. According to Pro Football Talk, Whaley said that Jackson has had an "incredible career" in Buffalo. Jackson now is on the market and he may have some attention coming his way from teams. Jackson is 34 and while he dealt with a hamstring injury in camp, he was able to play in the preseason and has looked solid.
The Cleveland Browns are considered an option, as the team reportedly had been looking at running backs even before Jackson was let go. The team has Duke Johnson dealing with a concussion and while Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West were solid last season, the Browns may need some more depth. Mike Ortiz reports on Twitter that the Cowboys could be a fit for Jackson. The team has held off on free agents this summer at RB, but with some uncertainty with injuries, Jackson could be a nice fit.
Joseph Randle is ready to start, but he has dealt with issues this summer and McFadden always has an injury bug, although he did make it through 16 games last season. Ortiz writes that Jackson previously played high school football in the area and was born in Texas and he is "told" from sources that there is interest in the running back. The Bills have depth at running back with LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown, so someone had to go. Jackson was released for the cut downs getting to 75 players and more for the Bills will come when the rosters go down to 53-players.
Both the Browns and the Cowboys could use another running back and Jackson now is the most talented one on the market after getting released. Jackson is a better quality player than Steven Jackson, Felix Jones or Ben Tate despite his injury issues from over the last year and he could be a fit. The Cowboys really only added Darren McFadden this offseason after letting DeMarco Murray walk in free agency and now they could look at adding Jackson to the mix.
Jackson was going to make over $2 million this season and he could get a deal around that, but it probably will be for the minimum. Jackson has time to find another team before the season starts and the Bills now will move on with their most tenured back. Jackson has been an all-around back, putting up 1000 total yards in three of the last four seasons. Last year Jackson played in 14 games and had 525 yards rushing and 66 catches for 501 and he is the pride of Coe College.
Check here for more on the Buffalo Bills releasing Jackson and interest from teams.
