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Former 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson is scheduled to visit the Commanders.
The Washington Commanders are one of several teams considering former second-round pick Drake Jackson in their search for defensive line depth. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Jackson has visits lined up over the coming days as he makes his way back from a serious knee injury.
Jackson, drafted 61st overall out of USC in 2022, played in 23 games over two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before sustaining a patellar tendon tear in his knee in November 2023.
The injury sidelined Jackson for the rest of that season and all of 2024. In May, the 49ers waived him with an injury designation.
Jackson Medically Cleared After Long Absence
Jackson was relatively productive in his brief time on the field, recording six sacks, 21 tackles, five tackles for loss and one interception before getting hurt. He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list in August 2024, effectively ending his season before it ever got underway.
Per Schefter, Jackson is also scheduled to meet with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets over the coming week.
49ers president of football operations and general manager John Lynch had concern expressed concern about Jackson’s health in February, referencing former 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who is now with the Denver Broncos. But Jackson has since been medically cleared.
“That’s been a tough injury, Lynch said, via NBC Sports. “We found that out with McGlinchey, those quad tendon repairs. You got to really think long and hard before you have that, because it doesn’t just make it go away. If you ask McGlinchey, to this day, probably plays through some pain.”
Added Lynch: “I guess Drake has had, not setbacks, but just trouble from the back end. It’s not been the most encouraging thing.”
Reunion With Jackson Could Make Sense for Commanders
The Commanders were thin at defensive end before the season started. They’ve since placed both Deatrich Wise and Javontae Jean-Baptiste on injured reserve. Veteran Preston Smith signed with the team on Sept. 17 but has yet to appear in a game.
Not only that, but current Commanders general manager Adam Peters was in the 49ers’ front office when Jackson was drafted, so there’s a familiarity there as well.
The Commanders are 2-2 but rank just 24th in yards allowed (356 per game) and 18th in points allowed (22.8 per game). They also have only one takeaway, fewer than everyone except the New York Jets (zero).
Washington visits the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5.