PHILADELPHIA — DeSean Jackson will officially retire as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, the team said Wednesday.
Jackson made the Pro Bowl in three of his eight seasons with the team. He became the first player in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl honors at two positions — kick returner and wide receiver. He played 15 years overall and had stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Washington, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Las Vegas, but he is best known for the six-year run in Philadelphia at the start of his pro career.
Jackson will be recognized as the honorary captain Sunday when the Eagles host San Francisco.
“DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skill set, and explosive play,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO. “What made DeSean truly stand out during his accomplished 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays look routine.”
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In 95 career games with the Eagles, he ranks third all-time in receiving yards (6,512), sixth in receptions (379), and ninth in receiving touchdowns (35). As a punt returner, he finished second in punt returns (132), third in punt return yards (1,296), and is tied for the team’s all-time lead in punt return touchdowns with four.
His best season came in 2013, his third Pro Bowl season, when he set career highs in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,332) and touchdown catches (nine).
Jackson’s explosiveness led to many memorable moments, including the “Miracle at the New Meadowlands” in 2010. With seconds remaining against the New York Giants and the score tied 31-31, Jackson bobbled a punt before picking it up and weaving his way for a 65-yard touchdown. He famously ran parallel to the goal line before scoring, capping off a rally from a 31-10 fourth-quarter deficit. It was the first time in NFL history that a game ended on a walk-off punt return.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa interacts with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, after a Nov. 24 game in East Rutherford, N.J.
Rodgers back at practice
The New York Jets opened the 21-day practice window for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The move Wednesday is the next step in the four-time NFL MVP’s rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon.
Coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers, who turns 40 on Saturday, was cleared for some football activities but was limited at practice and isn’t cleared for contact. Saleh emphasized it’s not necessarily a signal Rodgers will play again this season as it is the next step of the quarterback’s rehabilitation process.
At the end of the 21-day period, the Jets will decide whether to activate him or he’ll spend the rest of this season on injured reserve.
Leaning to be ‘Patrick-friendly’
Second-round pick Rashee Rice, who got off to a slow start in the complex system run by Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, has steadily improved during the middle portion of the season. And he had his best game yet last Sunday in Las Vegas, when Rice had a game-high 10 targets, eight receptions and 107 yards, including a short throw that became a 39-yard touchdown catch.
It was the sixth time in seven games that Rice had caught at least four passes. He has TD grabs in two of the past three.
“He’s been getting better every week,” Reid acknowledged, “and he’s working to be more ‘Patrick-friendly.’ There’s a lot that goes into that when you say something like that, and a lot of it is just playing. Being willing to fit your game into the offense’s game, and how Patrick sees things. He’s done a nice job of being open that way.”
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss runs the ball during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Indianapolis.
BRIEFLY
COLTS: Indianapolis running back Zack Moss welcomes the chance to be the starter again. He just wishes the circumstances were different. Moss lost the job as 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor ramped up his workload when he returned from injured reserve in October. But Indy’s No. 2 running back still ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing. And with Taylor out at least three weeks following thumb surgery, Moss will have a shot at his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL.
BROWNS: Joe Flacco could start at quarterback for Cleveland in its game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. With rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol, coach Kevin Stefanski gave Flacco the first reps in practice Wednesday. Flacco signed with the BRowns on Nov. 20 after starter Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the season because of a right shoulder injury.
PATRIOTS: Quarterback Bailey Zappe and practice squad rookie Malik Cunningham took snaps in the portion of the New England practice that media were allowed to watch. Starter Mac Jones and third-stringer Will Grier did not get any reps. Jones was benched for the fourth time this season in a 10-7 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh wide receiver Diontae Johnson said he needs to do a better job of getting control of his emotions going forward. Cameras caught Johnson standing idly by during a teammate’s fumble early in a victory over Cincinnati. Johnson had let a potential touchdown pass slip through his hands on the previous play, and his frustration bled over to a lack of effort that caught the attention of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
BRONCOS: Suspended Denver safety Kareem Jackson flew to New York on Wednesday to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss his latest suspension and what he calls the league’s uneven enforcement of its player safety rules. Jackson has been suspended twice this season for a total of six games, costing him $837,000 in wages. He’s also been ejected from two games and fined $89,670 for four illegal hits.
COMMANDERS: Ron Rivera starts his new role calling Washington’s defensive plays this weekend. What better test than the Miami Dolphins coming to town with the NFL’s best offense. It’ll be an adjustment for the veteran coach after firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Rivera will delegate more responsibilities like looking out for coach’s challenges while he focuses on trying to fix the defense’s woes.
LIONS: Detroit put Hendon Hooker on the practice field for the first time, opening a 21-day window to decide whether to activate the rookie quarterback or to keep him on injured reserve for the rest of the year. Hooker went through drills on Wednesday with the Lions, a little more than a year after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Detroit drafted Hooker in the third round with no expectations that he would play as a rookie.
TEXANS: Houston offensive lineman Tytus Howard was placed on injured reserve with a left knee injury. Howard, who is in his fifth season, injured his knee in the first half of the Texan’s loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. It’s his second stint on injured reserve this season after he missed the first four games after breaking his right hand in training camp.
