DeSean Jackson’s status vs. Jets uncertain after setback

Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson reportedly suffered a setback in practice Thursday and his status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets is uncertain.

Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson reportedly suffered a setback in practice Thursday and his status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets is uncertain.

The nature of Jackson’s issue is unknown, but Redskins coach Jay Gruden told reporters that the receiver “had an issue here and there” during drills.

Jackson, 28, had practiced in pads Wednesday and told Redskins.com he was hopeful he could return to the field this weekend. Jackson has been out since injuring his left hamstring on the second drive of Washington’s season opener against Miami.​

“I’m pretty good,” Jackson said. “I feel like I’m at a good rate where I can go out and get some good work in. Hopefully throughout the week I get better and I can play this weekend.”

Jackson took part in individual and team drills and ran some deep routes. The team has been careful with him and expressed hesitance to rush him back. If not Sunday, an Oct. 25 return against Tampa Bay had appeared within reach before Thursday’s news.

“We need him at 100 percent. The way he plays, he needs to be 100 percent. He’s not good to us at 65 percent. He knows that,” Gruden said. “I think he’s very, very close and if it’s not this Sunday, it will definitely be next weekend.”

In 2014, his first season with the Redskins after six years with the Eagles, Jackson caught 56 passes for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns.

“I want to do whatever I can to get my body healthy,” Jackson said. “Anything I can do to better myself and get back out there. You got to do what you can to be able to get your work in. So that’s where I feel I’m at that point now, where I can go out there and get things done. So we’ll see how the week goes.”

The Redskins are 2–3, one game behind the Giants and in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC East.

- Jeremy Woo