National Football League

Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson making strong comeback

Published Sep. 30, 2011 9:34 a.m. ET

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At one point, the Cleveland Browns weren't sure D'Qwell Jackson would ever return.

He's back. Better than ever.

Jackson, who missed 26 consecutive games the past two seasons after tearing chest muscles, is off to the best start of his NFL career. On Thursday, the likable linebacker was named the AFC's defensive player of the month for September, an honor Browns coordinator Dick Jauron deemed ''richly deserved.''

In Cleveland's first three games, Jackson, a second-round pick in 2006, recorded 30 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. He was also credited with defending a pass, forcing a fumble and recovering another while helping the Browns (2-1) get off to their best start since 2002.

As is his way, Jackson accepted the award with typical humility.

''It was very special,'' he said. ''I gotta take it in stride. A lot of guys told me congratulations. I mean I worked extremely hard, but this is the first step.''

Jackson's comeback has been remarkable.

After leading the Browns with 188 tackles in 2008, Jackson tore his left pectoral muscle while making a tackle in a game against Pittsburgh. The injury was so severe that he ripped the muscle from the bone, leaving the Browns no choice but to place him on injured reserve for the final 10 games of the season.

Jackson dedicated himself and worked hard to get back into shape, and everything seemed in place when he arrived for training camp last summer. But Jackson's world came crashing down when he tore the right pectoral muscle in practice and he wound up missing the entire 2010 season.

He was back at square one, his career hanging by a thread.

But while others had their doubts about his future, the 28-year-old always believed he would come back and play at a high level. He has embraced his new role as the middle or ''Mike'' linebacker in the Browns' new 4-3 defense, a scheme perfectly suited to his ball-hawking talents.

Unlike in the 3-4, Jackson doesn't have to fight off blocks from guards, allowing him to roam more freely and make tackles.

While others questioned if he could lead a defense again, Jackson's belief never wavered.

''I never doubted it,'' he said. ''As long as I could get the opportunity and I was healthy, that's all I could ask for. Right now, I'm playing well. I can always get better, but for me I've said more times than once, it's more important for me to get wins. I've been around here, it's been tough.

''We've got a lot of young guys and we want to keep the wins going to gain more confidence for my younger players. There's going to be adversity at times, but we're only going to be as good as the leaders on the team.''

Jackson is clearly one of them.

Browns first-year coach Pat Shurmur didn't know much about Jackson when he got the job in January. All he knew of Jackson, the player, was that he had an injury-riddled past. He didn't know anything about D'Qwell Jackson, the man, the community activist, who always seems to have time for anyone who asks.

Shurmur knows Jackson is special.

''Just being around him you see those things and you get a feel from a guy who gets things and he gets it,'' he said. ''The world makes sense to D'Qwell and he understands the process of being a pro and he's a talented guy. When you tie all that together then I'm glad to see he's having the success he is.''

During training camp, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita predicted big things from Jackson.

From afar, Fujita, who joined Cleveland last season, admired Jackson's game. Now that he's seen it up close, he's even more impressed.

''I've respected him for a long time, watching him on film over the years and kind of respecting his style of play,'' Fujita said. ''I always saw that the systems that were here in the past just weren't suited for his body type and his skill set. This was a good opportunity for him and it's nice to see him shine at this point of his career.''

On top of his injuries, Jackson has had to deal with contract issues.

The Browns signed him to a one-year, $4.75 million deal loaded with incentives before the lockout. It was a business decision and the team's way of saying, ''Show us.''

Jackson's doing just that and seems to be in line to receive one of the contract extensions the Browns are giving some of their young core players. The team has locked up Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas, defensive end Ahtyba Rubin, tight end Evan Moore and linebacker Chris Gocong to extensions in the past month.

The club may want to see more from Jackson, but it appears he has done enough.

He's leading on and off the field, and doesn't want to do it anywhere but in Cleveland.

''I don't want to move,'' he said. ''I don't want to pick up and leave and go somewhere else and start all over. This is where everything has happened. It's where I've been hurt, I've been successful. So it would mean a lot to stay in Cleveland.''

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