Eagles News: DeSean Jackson Reportedly Has Interest In Returning To Philadelphia
DeSean Jackson and Zach Ertz. (USA Today Sports)
A few hours before the Eagles-Bengals game kicked off on Sunday, NFL insider Adam Schefter broke a story about how the Birds have interest in re-signing DeSean Jackson. Now ESPN’s Tim McManus is reporting Jackson could have mutual interest in returning to Philadelphia.
“A source close to DeSean Jackson believes the wide receiver would be “intrigued” by a possible return to Philadelphia, and that the Eagles will be in the conversation this offseason should Jackson hit the open market,” writes McManus.
This news hardly comes as a surprise given Jackson’s comments earlier this season. The 30-year-old pass catcher said he doesn’t harbor hard feelings despite being unceremoniously released by the Eagles during the 2014 offseason. Especially since Chip Kelly is gone now.
“I never really had hard feelings towards Philadelphia,” said Jackson. “As far as being released by whoever released me, that’s different. But I guess he’s not there no more (laughs). So there’s never really been hard feelings towards the city or the team or organization. But like I said, things happen and we move on. I’m blessed to still have an opportunity to be playing at a high level and having a job and still playing at a high level. So never no hard feelings.”
The Eagles desperately need help at wide receiver, and there’s no question Jackson is a talented player. He currently ranks first among active NFL players in yards per reception (17.5). Then again, there are concerns about how his speed will hold up as he continues to age. Jackson has also dealt with numerous injury issues throughout his career.
Jackson told reporters he would prefer to stay in Washington, but the Redskins might not opt to pay him. Washington still has to make a decision on quarterback Kirk Cousins and veteran wide receiver Pierre Garcon is also a free agent after the season.
It’ll be interesting to see if Jackson ends up back with the Eagles. At the very least, there’s a guarantee he’ll be in Philadelphia this week as Washington comes to town for a Week 14 game at Lincoln Financial Field.
And now for a look at some other Eagles news and notes …
EAGLES INJURY UPDATES
Eagles leading rusher Ryan Mathews and leading receiver Jordan Matthews returned to practice on Wednesday. Doug Pederson said the entire roster is set to practice except for Dorial Green-Beckham (oblique) and Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee). Earlier this week, Pederson said DGB should be good for the game. Vaitai is “doing well” according to Pederson, but the Eagles coach said he’s “still a little bit away from returning.”
JOSH HUFF EARNS A PROMOTION
Not too long after the Eagles released Huff in early November, the Buccaneers signed Philadelphia’s former third-round pick to their practice squad. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay signed Huff to their active roster.
There’s a decent chance Huff will be headed to the NFL playoffs on his new team. The Buccaneers are riding an impressive four-game win streak. Tampa Bay is currently sixth in the NFC playoff picture. There’s still time for the Bucs to win the NFC South, too.
EAGLES PREPARING FOR LANE JOHNSON’S RETURN
“Well, obviously he comes back on a short week too against the Giants in a couple of weeks,” said Pederson. “But we’ve got to see where Big V’s at; he’s obviously coming off an injury — hopefully in a week or so – and we’ll see where that’s at. But we’re beginning the conversations right now for when [Johnson] does return. We’ll have to see. We’ve still got two games. We’ve got to get through these two games and see how Allen [Barbre] does. But, listen, [Johnson] was a big part of our success early in the season, so I wouldn’t hesitate to put him back in there.”
Johnson’s suspension ends in Week 15. The Eagles play the Giants on Thursday night, so Johnson will be returning to team only a few days before potentially resuming his role as a starter.
THE MAGIC MAN WAS NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD
Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos is the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
“The prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award presented by Nationwide is unique among NFL honors because it is the only award that recognizes a current NFL player for outstanding community service activities as well as excellence on the field. Established in 1970, the award was renamed in 1999 after the late Chicago Bears’ running back Walter Payton, who represented the very best of the NFL as an athlete on the field and as a role-model off of the field.”
Connor Barwin was named the team’s nominee the past two years. The Eagles haven’t had a Walter Payton award winner since 2002.
29 nominees will receive a $50,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to the charity of their choice. Two runner-ups will receive a $125,000 donation, and the winner will receive a $1 million donation in his name.
The 36-year-old Dorenbos signed a multi-year contract extension with the Eagles last month.
CARSON WENTZ SPOTTED AT LA SALLE
The Eagles’ starting quarterback was spotted attending bible study at La Salle University earlier this week.
Carson Wentz Went To Bible Study at La Salle Last Night https://t.co/tjEM8UN76y pic.twitter.com/fz4F0QGVFS
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 6, 2016
Wentz also shared his brand new Christmas tree on Twitter.
CHRISTmas season 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/a4wFbrA3ol
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) December 7, 2016
TWO RANDOM EAGLES WIDE RECEIVER STATS
1 – Paul Turner produced 14% of Nelson Agholor’s career yardage in just his second NFL game.
2 – Hat tip to r/Eagles:
One RB (David Johnson) and three TE (Olsen, Kelce, Graham) have more receiving yards than any of the Eagles’ wide receivers this season.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) December 7, 2016
EAGLES PODCAST
The latest BGN Radio podcast features discussion on some big picture Eagles topics. Plus: Circa Survive guitarist Brendan Ekstrom joins the show to give his thoughts on the team and more.
https://soundcloud.com/bgn-radio/bgnr-bud-light-live-8-plumsteadville-pub