FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
JUSTIN JACKSON
What Contract Should Lions Offer Justin Jackson? Read more on the contract offer the Detroit Lions should make for running back Justin Jackson.
Emerges as kick returner Jackson rushed 42 times for 170 yards and one touchdown while catching 12 of 19 targets for 101 yards and one touchdown over 16 games in 2022.
Impact After returning just five kicks in his previous four seasons, Jackson suddenly became a respectable kick returner while averaging the seventh-most yards per kick return (26.7) among players with at least 15 attempts. Thanks to an early season injury to Craig Reynolds, the Northwestern product also operated as a capable No. 2 or 3 running back most of the year depending on the availability D'Andre Swift. Now set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, Jackson seems set for a raise relative to the one-year, $980,000 contract he honored this past season.
FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Snaps scaled back in return Jackson played six of the Lions' 60 snaps on offense and carried once for two yards while adding an 11-yard reception in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Packers.
Impact Back in action after missing the Lions' Week 17 win over the Bears with a hip injury, Jackson saw his lowest snap share on offense since Week 8, when he played exclusively on special teams in a 31-27 loss to the Dolphins. Jackson will be ticketed for unrestricted free agency this offseason and should be able to find work with the Lions or another team, though likely as nothing more than a No. 2 or 3 option out of the backfield and kickoff return specialist. The 26-year-old produced capably enough in his limited opportunities in 2022, carrying 42 times for 170 yards (4.0 YPC) and a touchdown while adding 12 receptions for 101 yards and another score over his 16 appearances.
JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Full participant Wednesday Jackson (hip) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.
Impact Jackson landed on the injury report last Friday due to a hip injury and was ultimately sidelined for the Lions' Week 17 win over the Bears. However, the backup running back is full go to start Week 18 prep, suggesting that he's on track to suit up in Sunday's matchup with the Packers, a game that could have playoff implications for both teams if the Seahawks lose to the Rams earlier in the day. If available, Jackson should see his usual rotational role behind Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift.
JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Won't face Bears Jackson (hip) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Impact Jackson was added to the injury report on Friday, suggesting he suffered the injury at some point during the week of practice. He saw his role slip in a Week 16 loss to the Panthers, but nevertheless, Jackson's absence will condense touches in Detroit's backfield to both Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift. Craig Reynolds will step into the third running back role in Jackson's absence.
JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Added to injury report Jackson (hip) was added to the injury report Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with Chicago, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Impact Adding him as a limited participant at the end of the week suggests Jackson was injured at some point Thursday or Friday. If he can't suit up ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday, the Lions will turn to Craig Reynolds as their No. 3 back behind Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift.
DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Set to remain in backup role Jackson's teammate Jamaal Williams is not listed on the injury report in advance of Sunday's game against Chicago.
Impact Jackson would have been the top candidate for early-down work in the Lions backfield had Williams needed to miss time with a leg injury that kept him out of the final quarter of last week's loss to Carolina. However, Jackson seems set to remain as the third fiddle to Williams and D'Andre Swift.
DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Week 17 Fantasy Sleepers: Brock Purdy, Justin Jackson, Romeo Doubs among potential breakouts Can you trust waiver-wire pickups like Brock Purdy, Justin Jackson, and Romeo Doubs with a championship on the line? All are among our Week...
DECEMBER 28, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 17: Zack Moss, Romeo Doubs, Justin Jackson among top free-agent pickups Zack Moss, Romeo Doubs, and Justin Jackson could all see bigger roles this week because of injuries, and all will be among the top Week 17 f...
DECEMBER 27, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 17: Zack Moss, Romeo Doubs, Justin Jackson among top free-agent pickups Zack Moss, Romeo Doubs, and Justin Jackson could all see bigger roles this week because of injuries, and all will be among the top Week 17 f...
DECEMBER 27, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Logs negative yardage Jackson rushed once for minus-one yard while failing to secure his only target during Saturday's loss to the Panthers.
Impact Jackson barely got the ball on a day the Lions' run game failed to show up. However, with Jamaal Williams (leg) exiting in the third quarter, Jackson could be set up to handle a heavy workload in Week 17 against Chicago if Williams can't play. While D'Andre Swift would presumably head the backfield in that situation, Jackson seems like the top candidate to handle Williams' between-the-tackles role depending on the status of Craig Reynolds, who was a healthy scratch Sunday after starting the season ahead of Jackson on the depth chart.
DECEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Receives handful of touches Jackson rushed six times for 16 yards while catching one of two targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 20-17 win over the Jets.
Impact Jackson continued to serve as the clear No. 3 option behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. However, he could be in danger of losing touches in the coming weeks with a healthy Craig Reynolds back on the active roster.
DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Active for Week 15 Jackson (illness) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Jets.
Impact Jackson was a late addition to the injury report and listed as questionable due to an illness, but the backup running back has since cleared the aliment and will be good to go for Week 15. He figures to garner his usual role behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, as Craig Reynolds (coach's decision), who was activated off injured reserve Saturday, is inactive for Sunday's matchup.
DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Added to injury report Jackson (illness) is now listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Impact Jackson's addition to the Lions' injury report Saturday clouds his status ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff. While working behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams in the team's Week 14 win over the Vikings, Jackson logged 20 snaps en route to rushing four times for 19 yards and a TD while catching his only target for 12 yards.
DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
First rushing touchdown as Lion Jackson rushed four times for 19 yards and one touchdown while catching his only target for 12 yards during Sunday's win over the Vikings.
Impact Just when it looked like D'Andre Swift was returning to a featured role after seeing over half of the offensive snaps at Jackson's expense last week against Jacksonville, Swift returned to seeing about a third of the snaps Sunday while Jackson saw his highest total (20) in three weeks. Jackson made one of the plays of the game along the way, beating the Vikings defense around the edge for a 17-yard diving touchdown. It is probably safe to expect Jackson to continue to steal a handful of touches from Swift and Jamaal Williams per game down the stretch.
DECEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Role shrinking Jackson rushed once for four yards while catching three of five targets for 19 yards during Sunday's win over Jacksonville.
Impact Jackson logged his lowest proportion of offensive snaps (21 percent) in five weeks on a day that D'Andre Swift (51) regained lead duties in the Lions backfield from Jamaal Williams (30). As long as Swift and Williams stay healthy, Jackson's snaps figure to remain in check. The Northwestern product will remain off the fantasy radar in Week 14 against Minnesota.
DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Five touches on Thanksgiving Jackson rushed four times for four yards while catching one of two targets for 15 yards during Thursday's loss to the Bills.
Impact Jackson logged double-digit offensive snaps for the fourth straight week despite the availability of both Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift. However, Swift's playing time continues to trend upwards as he distances himself from shoulder and ankle injuries that forced him to miss time earlier this year, and Jackson subsequently saw a downtick in playing time compared to last week. While Jackson should remain involved in the offense with Craig Reynolds (ribs) sidelined and Detroit needing to keep Swift out of the injury tent, Jackson's primary value as a fantasy asset remains as the potential early-down injury replacement for Jamaal Williams and his league-leading 13 touchdowns.
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Game-high 66 rush yards Jackson rushed nine times for 66 yards and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 31-18 win over the Giants.
Impact Jackson continued to stay involved in the game plan despite sitting at third on Detroit's running back depth chart. The veteran back finished second in touches behind Jamaal Williams (17) and ahead of D'Andre Swift (eight), but the latter two were the beneficiaries of the Lions' four rushing scores. Jackson has performed well in his limited role of late, but there isn't enough volume to justify starting him against the Bills on Thanksgiving.
NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Six touches against Chicago Jackson rushed four times for 14 yards while catching two of three targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 31-30 win over Chicago.
Impact While Jackson didn't see more playing time than D'Andre Swift this time, he didn't see much less either as he logged 16 snaps on offense compared to Swift's 18. Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams (24 snaps) again led the Lions backfield. It will be interesting to see if Swift's playing time increases as he further distances himself from his shoulder and ankle injuries, or if Jackson will maintain a significant role.
NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rushes for 27 yards Jackson rushed four times for 27 yards during Sunday's 15-9 win over Green Bay.
Impact Jackson wound up logging the second-most snaps among Lions running backs thanks to Craig Reynolds (ribs) being forced out of the game early and the injury-prone D'Andre Swift being slowly worked back into the game plan. While it is possible Swift could see more work in Week 10 against Chicago, Jackson could still see another handful of touches if Reynolds misses time.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Another handful of touches Jackson rushed three times for 14 yards but was unable to secure his only target during Sunday's 29-0 loss to the Patriots.
Impact Jackson again saw a little work on offense with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) still on the sidelines, but he was a clear third wheel behind Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds. With Swift expected back after the Lions' Week 6 bye, Jackson should return to containment on special teams in Week 7 against the Cowboys.
OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sees time on offense Jackson rushed twice for three yards while catching two of two targets for four yards during Sunday's 48-45 loss to the Seahawks.
Impact Jackson saw his first nine offensive snaps of the season but didn't do much with the touches he was given, unlike both Jamaal Williams (5.7 yards per carry) and Craig Reynolds (15). He'll remain off the fantasy radar in Week 5 against the Patriots.
OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Signed to active roster The Lions signed Jackson to their active roster Wednesday, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.
Impact Jackson was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad for Week 1 and didn't recorded any touches, though he did operate as the team's primary kick returner. As long as D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are healthy, the 2018 seventh-round pick figures to garner a similar role moving forward.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Running Back Justin Jackson Making Case to Earn Roster Spot Running back Justin Jackson has an opportunity to earn a spot on the Lions’ final 53-man roster.
AUGUST 26, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Effective in small sample Jackson rushed seven times for 54 yards in Saturday's 27-26 preseason win over the Colts.
Impact Jackson averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season with the Chargers and remained effective on a per-touch basis for the Lions in this one. He's locked in a competition with Craig Reynolds -- who turned eight touches into 42 scrimmage yards Saturday -- for the third-string running back spot in Detroit. That job battle likely won't be decided before Detroit's Aug. 28 preseason finale against the Steelers.
AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
