With the Eagles struggling on punt returns this season, there’s been some speculation about DeSean Jackson replacing Damaris Johnson as the returner.
Jackson has a career average of 10.6 yards per return and he has taken four punts back for touchdowns over the course of his career. Johnson has returned eight punts for 48 yards so far this season, which leaves the Eagles ranked 28th in the league in returns. Special teams coach Bobby April said this week that that Jackson is prepared to do the job if the Eagles decide to put him in the role and Jackson said he’s ready to do anything “that would help give the team a spark.”
Coach Andy Reid was also asked about whether or not Jackson would be returning punts. He wasn’t tipping his hand either way.
“We’ll see,” Reid said, via Jack McCaffery of the Delaware County Times. “We’ll see how that goes. That’s not necessarily where I’m at right this moment.”
If the Eagles are going to turn things over to Jackson, this might be a good week to do it. The Lions kick coverage units have been poor this season, which could create a chance for the Eagles to either grab some points or put themselves in prime position to grab some points over the course of Sunday’s game.