Andy Reid said today that Jamaal Jackson's recovery from knee surgery is ahead of schedule. However, he also said it was "too soon" to say whether Jackson could be ready for the start of the season.
Jackson suffered a torn ACL in the second to last game of the year. Stacy Andrews suffered the same injury at nearly the same time the year prior and he never was able to get back last year. So most of us had written Jackson off for the upcoming season, but Andy Reid confirmed that the fact Jackson came off the PUP list is a sign that his recovery is ahead of schedule.
"I would probably say that. We’ve got to see how this part of it goes, but he’s done well to this point. They’re all different. A guy that has one of those ACL’s is a little different. We’ll see how it works."
Reid couldn't say whether Jackson might be ready to start the season, only that they would continue to monitor him throughout camp.
"It’s too soon. I can’t tell you that. I’ve got to see how his leg reacted after this practice, then it’s going to be the same thing the next day, and we’re just doing to take it day by day and see how he does, and make sure you don’t over work it. There’s a fine line there."
If Jackson can indeed be ready even after a few weeks from the start of the season, his return would be a big lift to the offensive line. With both he and Todd Herremans back, the offensive line just may be able to be considered a strength.