Howard Eskin believes DeSean Jackson will play in Eagles vs. Bears [UPDATE]

UPDATE: In addition to Howard Eskin, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark also believes DeSean Jackson could return this week.

Sources tell me he worked out with one of the team’s quarterbacks Monday at the NovaCare Complex and was able to run routes. It was the first time Jackson has done so since suffering his abdominal injury in Week 2 against Atlanta.

Sources say this is the most optimistic the 32-year-old wide receiver has been about returning. I’m told he flew in his trainer for the week to work with him and get him ready for Sunday and that his speed is now up to a comfortable point where he can feel like DeSean Jackson again.

Hopefully this optimism isn’t for naught.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.

DeSean Jackson hasn’t played since Week 2 due to an abdomen injury but that might be changing this week. Eagles radio sideline reporter Howard Eskin believes Jackson will return for Philadelphia’s Week 9 game against the Chicago Bears.

As Eskin note, Pederson did say Jackson will be returning to practice in at least some kind of limited capacity.

“DeSean, we can begin as part of his rehab and his protocol, we can incorporate him back into practice a little bit on Wednesday. See where he’s at as the week progresses.”

ESPN previously reported that Jackson’s return window was between Week 7 and Week 9, so Eskin’s educated belief lines up with that.

The Eagles are getting some awful production out of their current group of wide receivers so getting Jackson back would be really nice. Especially whilst facing a tough Bears defense.

Of course, the problem is that we don’t know how effective Jackson will be upon returning. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Derrick Gunn noted earlier today that Jackson “may have to deal with nagging pain” for the rest of the season. To what extent will Jackson’s deep threat ability be hampered?

We’ll find out if Jackson is able get out there, like Eskin believes he will.