The Buccaneers’ shot at earning a playoff berth was dealt a nearly fatal blow in Sunday’s loss to the Saints and any attempt at a last-second resurrection looks like it will have to go on without the help of wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
Jackson left the loss to New Orleans with a knee injury and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Jackson has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL. Per the report, Jackson is expected to miss several weeks and that would seem to be make it unlikely that he’ll play again this season unless a lot of things break Tampa’s way over the final three games.
Jackson missed three games earlier this season with a knee injury, leading the Buccaneers to throw the ball to Mike Evans quite often. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is back in the lineup now, but it’s probably still a good bet that Evans will be a frequent target of Jameis Winston’s passes.
Jackson has one year left on the five-year deal he signed with the Bucs in 2012. If his season is over, it ends with 33 catches, 543 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.