Jay Gruden: ‘Wishful thinking’ hoping for productive DeSean Jackson return
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden had hoped DeSean Jackson’s return from injury would boost the team’s offense, but he acknowledged Monday that the wide receiver might need more time on the field before he returns to form.
“The problem is he wasn’t here in OTAs, he missed a lot of camp and he missed the first [seven] games,” Gruden said, according toThe Washington Post. “So to have the cohesiveness with the quarterback right out of the chute would probably be a little bit wishful thinking.”
Jackson caught three passes for 15 yards and did not score in his return from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since the Redskins’ season opener. Jackson also missed most of training camp with a right shoulder injury. Both ailments required more recovery time than originally anticipated.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Jackson has started all 16 games of a season only once, in 2013.
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“We do have high expectations for DeSean once we get him rolling, but yesterday wasn’t his day, wasn’t our day as an offense,” Gruden said. “But hopefully next week, we’ll see more balls flying his way and he can go get them.”
The Redskins play the New Orleans Saints at home in Week 10.
- Erin Flynn
