National Football League

Does Jay Gruden wish the Redskins plucked a different Eagles receiver?

Published Dec. 16, 2014 2:58 p.m. ET

Sid Saraf

Is this buyer's remorse?

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden didn't exactly have glowing praise for wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. Jackson came to D.C. in the offseason after being suddenly released by the Philadelphia Eagles.

"He's a very good wide receiver but . . . the last couple weeks he's been dealing with an injury and he hasn't been quite the same," Gruden said in a story from CSN Philadelphia. "I'm a 'What-have-you-done-for-me-lately' kind of guy and lately we haven't seen the DeSean we need to see."

Jackson has been dealing with a lingering leg injury this season and has caught 50 passes for 957 yards and five touchdowns. With the 3-11 Redskins facing the Philadelphia Eagles this week, Gruden has noticed that the presence of Jackson hasn't made opposing defenses drastically change their schemes.

"There've only been a couple teams that have really rolled coverages to DeSean but for the most part, the only thing he gets is [their] best corner. ... That's the big thing. He'll have to beat their best corner. But other than that teams are playing standard coverages to him," Gruden said.

However, when the topic came to the Eagles, Gruden was effusive in his praise of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

"He's a consistent pro, man" Gruden said. "I love the way he plays, his approch to the game.

"He's tough and it seems like whenever Philly needs a big play, third down and long or they're trailing, Maclin seems to always show up . . . Type of guy you want. Accountable guys that when the game's on the line they have no problem making the play, and Jeremy's done that."

Despite his comments, Gruden does hope for the best when it comes to Jackson, who will face off against his former team for the second time this season on Sunday.

"Hopefully the motivation of playing against Philadelphia and hopefully he's 100 percent healthy will have a big impact," Gruden said.