Vikings Sign XFL WR Lucky Jackson, Waive OLB Kenny Willekes
The Vikings have signed wide receiver Lucky Jackson, who is coming off a big spring season for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL. To make room on the 90-man roster, outside linebacker Kenny Willekes has been waived.
Jackson had 36 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns in the XFL this season, ranking fifth in the league in yards and tied for fifth in touchdown catches. He averaged 15.9 yards per catch and had 10 receptions of at least 20 yards, which was tied for the most in the league. Jackson had one game with five catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson played his college ball at Western Kentucky, breaking out with 1,133 receiving yards as a fifth-year senior in 2019. He had nine career 100-yard games for the Hilltoppers, five of which came during his final season. In four of those five games, he exceeded 140 receiving yards, including a 194-yard explosion on nine catches against Florida Atlantic.
A 6'1", 190-pound receiver, Jackson has decent size and speed with good hands. He's worked hard to get this opportunity, from a stint in the CFL to becoming one of the XFL's top receivers. Now he'll look to show the Vikings that he deserves a spot on their roster or practice squad.
Willekes, a seventh-round pick in 2020, showed some flashes during his time with the Vikings, but was slowed by various injuries. He appeared in six games in 2021, recording 2.5 sacks, seven QB hits, and a pass breakup. In the regular season finale against the Bears that year, Willekes had nine pressures, two sacks, and an 86.5 PFF pass rush grade.
He just struggled to stay healthy. The Michigan State product missed his rookie season in 2020 and last season due to injury. Being waived now will give Willekes a chance to potentially catch on with another team this offseason.
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