The Washington Redskins are trying to be patient with DeSean Jackson. The wide receiver missed all of the preseason with a shoulder injury and has yet to be seen in the regular season as a hamstring injury is keeping him off the field. Meanwhile, the Redskins are without their top deep threat on the field, leaving Kirk Cousins to make something out of nothing. Could Jackson be back on the field against the Atlanta Falcons as he comes back to the practice field?
Jackson continues to be scratched from games, but that might not last much longer. According to head coach Jay Gruden via the Washington Post, the wide receiver is expected to increase his level of activity on the practice field making his status for Week 5 questionable. According to the Post, Jackson is still very iffy for his season debut, but getting more time on the field is a turn in a positive direction as the Redskins could love to have as many weapons as possible come Sunday.
The return of Jackson could come with the departure of Jordan Reed. The Redskins are already without Niles Paul who is out for the season and now they might be missing Reed as well. According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Reed suffered a sprained knee and ankle along with a concussion in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. It is a huge concern because Reed has already had four concussions since college. The tight end is now doubtful for Sunday's game which would be a huge hit to the team's offense.
"It's a concern," Gruden said, via ESPN.com. "The level, these things are all different. Each player and the magnitude of the concussions, you just don't know until they go through the protocol and get tested and all of the necessary steps. I don't know the severity of it at all."
Reed was off to a great start this season. He is tied with Pierre Garcon for 24 catches while having 278 yards of receiving. With Jackson out, Reed has been the second favorite target for Cousins to work with. If Reed were to miss time that would likely increase the targets to Andre Roberts and Ryan Grant who has been a nice breakout star for the team.
The biggest thing is getting the run game going. While both Alfred Morris and Matt Jones have big games to their name this season, they have yet to demonstrate any kind of consistency. Morris is the expected to be the workhorse back for the Redskins and Gruden made it clear that he needs to see more from the star.
"We intend on splitting the reps up pretty good," Gruden said, via the Richmond Times Dispatch. "Alfred should be the lead dog though. It just didn't work out that way (last Thursday)."