The Washington Commanders gave edge rusher Drake Jackson a chance to kickstart his career when the San Francisco 49ers eventually gave up on their costly experiment. Unfortunately for the player, history repeated itself.
Jackson, who's dealt with some major health problems throughout his once-promising professional journey, was placed on injured reserve by the Commanders shortly before final cuts. This was another devastating setback for the USC product, and it was one blow too many for general manager Adam Peters.
According to the NFL's transaction wire, the Commanders have now released Jackson with an injury settlement. This gives the player a chance to sign elsewhere, maybe on a practice squad, at some point before or during the campaign.
Commanders couldn't wait around for Drake Jackson's luck to change
He'll be eagerly waiting for the phone to ring. However, given Jackson's concerning trajectory in recent years, there is just no telling when another opportunity will arrive.
Peters knew Jackson well from their time together in San Francisco. He knew signing the 2022 second-round pick was risky, but he also knew just how much talent he had when healthy.
Jackson flashed during his brief involvement in the defensive rotation last season. It was fleeting, but it was enough for the Commanders to give him another one-year deal to see if even more momentum could be built.
That didn't happen.
It was a quiet summer for Jackson. The Commanders made significant improvements on the defensive edge, and he got lost in the shuffle. Getting hurt again was the final straw, and Peters was in no position to wait around this time.
Drake Jackson's post-Commanders future looks increasingly bleak
Despite Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson working their way back from injury, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. suspended for the first game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders have some good options on the edge. Jackson didn't stand out above others, so this decision was pretty straightforward.
What comes next for Jackson is the big question.
Washington wanted to see if Jackson's luck would change. He was a second-round pick and a standout college player, so the pass rusher was always going to get a second chance. Things didn't work out, but at 25, it might be too soon to give up on him entirely.
But the league won't look favorably on his latest injury misfortune.
There is nothing Jackson can do about that now. His fate is in others' hands.
Nobody knows what the injury is or how long he'll be out of action. That is for any interested suitors to figure out, but what's important for the player is making sure he gets back quickly and seizes his moment if it comes again.
Anything less, and it might be the last time anyone sees Jackson in the NFL.
And in all honesty, that moment may have already come.
Add us as a preferred source on Google