Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson is about to go away for two months.
But he gave the Ravens something to remember him by, and hopefully something that makes them want to keep him.
Jackson returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown, for the game-winning score for the Ravens against the Falcons. It was a nice reprieve for a guy who was suspended the first eight games of the regular season for a second violation of the league’s PED policy, making his future there tenuous.
“Absolutely,” Jackson said, via Matt Vensel of the Baltimore Sun. “It’s all part of football. It’s all part of life. You’re going to go through ups and downs, but it’s how you handle things when things are bad that really define your character, not when they’re good.
“I’m just going to keep trying to go out there and do what I can to help the team win games and show that I can still be a valuable asset to the team.”
Of course, proving that value’s trickier since he’s going to miss half the season. The Colts released tight end Weslye Saunders after his second positive test and half-season suspension, and Jackson’s job is by no means safe.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh reportedly chewed him out and threatened to Jackson after he jumped into a practice scrum last week, and the suspension is going to loom over him for some time.
One punt return in the preseason won’t make that go away, but anything he can do to convince them he’s trying to fix things will help.