Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who has been quiet in the previous two games, aims to burst out big this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jackson, who was visibly upset at times during Sunday’s win over the Ravens with only three catches for 35 yards, acknowledged on Wednesday that he can only do so much. He does, however, expect to become more involved in the offensive shortly.
As a wide receiver, I have to go run my route, and I need an assist from my quarterback in order to do well,” Jackson explained. “So hopefully that assist will come around, hopefully sooner than later.”
Jackson has 18 catches for 278 yards and a score this season, but only four catches for 40 yards over the last two weeks. He acknowledged to discussing his frustrations with team officials.
As a wide receiver, I have to go run my route, and I need an assist from my quarterback in order to do well,” Jackson explained. “So hopefully that assist will come around, hopefully sooner than later.”
Jackson has 18 catches for 278 yards and a score this season, but only four catches for 40 yards over the last two weeks. He acknowledged to discussing his frustrations with team officials.
“I was talking to [team president] Bruce Allen today, and I was like, ‘I know things aren’t hitting,’ but as a wide receiver, you want to get the ball,” Jackson said. “You want to score touchdowns. You want to catch lengthy passes. Things like that are what you want to do. I just want to earn what I’m compensated for. “I want to produce for my team.”
Jackson will become a free agent in the offseason after counting $9.25 million against Washington’s salary cap this season.
Despite mentioning that he required Kirk Cousins’ “assistance,” Jackson did not criticize the quarterback.
Cousins, for his part, stated that he cannot force the ball to Jackson and that “I just go where my reads take me,” but he did admit that he has missed opportunities to deliver key throws to Jackson.
This season, the two have only connected for one deep touchdown pass, a 44-yarder against New York. Jackson has been open several times, only to have Cousins overthrow him or draw pass interference calls.
Jackson knows those penalties help the offense. But he wants to make a greater impact.
According to coach Jay Gruden, Jackson should become more of an offensive focal point.
“We have to try to get our playmakers the ball a little bit more; there’s no question about it,” Gruden stated in an interview. “But we can’t push the issue either, you know? But if I wake up at 4:30 a.m. or 4 p.m. and he’s standing outside my garage with a baseball bat, I think I should bring him the ball, you know?”
The coach smiled at his own joke before adding, “He deserves the ball a little more, but I’ll tell you what he does do. He demands a lot of covering, which creates opportunities for others.
Jackson expressed anticipation that his output will begin to grow this week.
“Hopefully it’s not a one-catch or a three-catch game,” that’s what he stated. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to make 10 receptions. We will see. Whatever the goal is, as long as we win and beat the Eagles, that is all that matters.”
