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UPDATE: The Eagles put out the following statement on DeSean Jackson.
Statement from the Philadelphia Eagles regarding WR DeSean Jackson pic.twitter.com/iJjY11wf6a
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 4, 2019
Jackson also posted the following message on his Instagram account:
Original story below.
Well, so much for Doug Pederson saying the Philadelphia Eagles“fully expect [DeSean Jackson] to be good in a couple weeks.”
Jackson is set to miss up to six more weeks after having core muscle surgery tomorrow, according to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark.
DeSean Jackson will have surgery Tuesday morning with core muscle specialist Dr. William Meyers, according to sources. It’s estimated he will be out about 4-6 weeks. Jackson met with the specialist Monday afternoon and was told his core muscle injury is now worse than it was when it first happened in Week 2. His abdominal muscle is now completely torn off the bone after he tried to play Sunday against the Bears. It was a minimal tear when it first happened in Week 2. The injury occurred Sunday on the Eagles’ opening drive when he was tackled after his only catch. It worsened on the third-down sack on that same drive.
NFL insider Adam Schefter says the injury will have Jackson out for “at least” six weeks.
Eagles’ WR DeSean Jackson is expected to be sidelined “at least six weeks” with a core muscle injury that will require surgery on Tuesday in Philadelphia with Dr. William Meyers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2019
NFL insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport suggest Jackson could be out for the season.
Eight weeks left in the regular season. I’d say if we’re going to see DeSean Jackson line up for the #Eagles again this season, it would be in the playoffs. And even then, no guarantees.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 4, 2019
From The Aftermath: The #Eagles have likely seen the last of WR DeSean Jackson, as he'll have surgery tomorrow morning. pic.twitter.com/ATbH18DAkD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2019
This is horrible news for the Eagles. Including the upcoming bye, there are only eight more weeks left in the regular season.
Philadelphia’s offense has sorely missed Jackson’s deep speed this season. The Eagles are now stuck with the following wide receivers for the foreseeable future.
LAST SIX EAGLES GAMES
Nelson Agholor: 364 snaps, 14 recs, 114 yards (8.1 avg), 0 TD, 1 fumble
Alshon Jeffery: 352 snaps, 29 recs, 304 yards (10.5 avg), 2 TD
Mack Hollins: 224 snaps, 1 rec, 13 yards, 0 TD
JJ Arcega-Whiteside: 44 snaps, 0 recs, 0 yards, 0 TD
The Eagles will have to continue to heavily rely on running the ball in addition to leaning on their tight ends and running backs in the passing game. The Eagles have been able to use this formula in their last two wins but they were merely tasked with outscoring Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky. It’ll be difficult for the Eagles to keep up with more threatening offenses.
The Eagles are 5-4 as their enter their bye and they have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NFL. There’s ample reason to believe they can make the playoffs.
But it’s hard to feel great about the Eagles as a true contender without a viable passing attack. And with Jackson out of the picture — at least temporarily — it’s hard to count on the Eagles having one of those.