Lamar Jackson has strong debut for Jets
ByMICHAEL BRUNTZ 4 hours ago
Former Husker corner
Lamar Jackson not only made his professional debut for the New York Jets on Thursday night, but played well in the contest against the Denver Broncos.
Former Husker corner
Lamar Jackson not only made his professional debut for the New York Jets on Thursday night, but played well in the contest against the Denver Broncos.
Jackson was elevated to the active roster from the Jets’ practice squad prior to Thursday night’s game, and saw a significant amount of action after the Jets’ starting corners were ineffective against the Broncos.
Jackson stepped in for Pierre Desir, and ended up playing 59 defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps in the Jets’ loss. Jackson tallied two tackles — one for loss — and defended one pass on the night.
Prior to the game, New York released veteran corner Nate Hairston and Bless Austin left Thursday’s game with an injury, perhaps freeing up more available snaps for Jackson. The Jets fell to 0-4 on Thursday night, and could be more likely to roll with Jackson if he continues to play well. Jackson signed with the Jets after going undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft.
As a senior, Jackson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the Big Ten Coaches and Big Ten Media. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Jackson ranked among the Big Ten and national leaders with 12 pass breakups and tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Jackson also tallied 40 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack, while forcing two fumbles and recovering another. For his career, Jackson totaled 123 tackles, 2.0 sacks five interceptions and defended 27 passes. Jackson also forced three fumbles.
Jackson went through workouts in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, and then ran the 40-yard dash at Nebraska’s Pro Day in March to try to improve his times. At that time, Jackson said he ran in the 4.5s, a good mark for a player who stands nearly 6-foot-3 and was one of the more physically impressive cornerbacks in the draft.
Jackson, like many undrafted free agents, were in a tough spot in training camps without the opportunity to play in preseason games, which were shuttered because of Covid-19. NFL practice squad rosters were, however, increased from 12 to 16 for this season.
A native of California, Jackson was a four-star recruit as a recruit, ranked as the No. 82 overall prospect in the 2016 class by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Lamar Jackson has strong debut for the Jets
