What’s been a major weakness of the Washington Commanders this season?
Pretty much anything on the defense. Not to be snarky or a jerk, but the numbers tell the truth. The Commanders are 31st in net yards per pass attempt, surrendering 7.2 yards every attempt by an opposing quarterback. How’s the run defense per carry? Well, seeing you asked, the Commanders are 28th, yielding 4.8 yards per carry.
The defense needs help, and it’s tough to get quality help from a guy who was released by another team this year. But the Commanders, having picked up former 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson, are hoping to see something from Jackson in this last game of 2025.
Jackson tore a patellar tendon in 2023 after being a second-round draft selection in the 2022 draft by San Francisco. Jackson’s rehab and return did not go well, as he missed all of 2024. This past May, Jackson failed his 49ers physical on May 9 and was subsequently released on May 12.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was asked Friday about Jackson’s ability in his recent return to action.
“Yeah, coming off of a knee injury, you want to see how explosive, can a guy return to that spot. And so, for me, seeing his movement, seeing his get off, those are the things that I’m watching for, to say, ‘Okay, is there a player to develop here with him to go (forward)?'”
Jackson, 24, has certainly worked to regain the strength and speed he had prior to his 2023 injury. But it has not been easy. Teams were not exactly racing or competing to sign Jackson after his release in May. The Commanders, being in such desperate need for some pass-rushing help, signed Jackson to their practice squad five months later in October.
The former USC Trojan and 61st overall selection in 2022 has worked to return to the field, appearing in the last two games. He registered a solo tackle vs the Eagles, and then last week against Dallas, Jackson was in on an assisted tackle. The Commanders know they will need to see more from Jackson and are hoping he has a good final game against the Eagles.
Quinn further elaborated on what he has observed and what he hopes to see from Jackson.
“So, I like the bend, the movement part of him, is my evaluations from practice too, just to see can he come? Is he fully back? Is he making those turns? And so, seeing some of that, that’s been a big deal for me, and he’ll get some more time with that Sunday.”
No, Jackson hasn’t produced much, and Quinn did understandably comment that Quinn was “seeing some of that” from Jackson. Certainly, Quinn is looking for some pass rush that assures him that Jackson is still improving toward being a contributor next season.
So, might Sunday perhaps be some sort of a tryout for Jackson, to see if he will be invited back to the offseason 90-man roster?