If, like me, you have Vincent Jackson on your fantasy football team you’ve probably been wondering where the hell he’s been all season. I can’t help you there, but I can give you the answer today. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed Jackson on injured reserve after possibly tearing his ACL last week against the Carolina Panthers.
Jackson has been the invisible man in the Bucs’ offense this season, catching just 15 passes for 173 yards and no touchdowns. For a guy that was once one of the most highly touted wideouts in the league, this current injury could wrap up his 11-year career. Jackson is a free agent at the end of the season.
Source: WR Vincent Jackson knee injury not definitively torn ACL. #Bucs placed him on IR. If MCL injury, he could return if TB in contention
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 18, 2016
This is the second consecutive year Jackson has been taken out with injuries. He played in just 10 games last year and his production fell even in those games. For a guy that averaged 70 receptions a season from 2011-2014, 33 grabs in 10 games was a significant drop-off.
“This is obviously very disappointing for me personally,” Jackson said in a statement. “I had high hopes for this season because I know what we are capable of accomplishing as a team. My top priority going into every season is being out there with my teammates and helping my team any way possible. While I may not be on the field for the foreseeable future, I will be focused on beginning my rehab as soon as possible and finding ways to support my teammates in whatever way I can.”
Vincent Jackson, Charles Sims and Austin Seferian-Jenkins combined for 105 catches last year. Bucs having to go without 3 top targets now.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 18, 2016
If Jackson does decide to come back, the injury comes at a good time. He’ll have plenty of time to rehab and get in shape. Just two years ago he completed his fourth consecutive 1,000-plus-yard season, his sixth in his career. As long as he can pass a physical, he should get one more shot to play for another team in 2017.
Sam Shields on IR with a concussion
With symptoms that just won’t subside, the Green Bay Packers pulled the plug on cornerback Sam Shields Tuesday due to a concussion he suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week One. Shields is designated to return after eight weeks.
With Shields out the right corner job falls full-time to second-year man Quinten Rollins. Rollins has been decent in Shields’ stead, with eight tackles and four passes defensed this season.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLtwyUUAOiQ/?taken-by=samshields37
The recurring concussion symptoms are a sobering reminder of the dangers of playing NFL football. Shields is just 28 and in his seventh season in the NFL. He’s been the Packers’ primary starter since midway through 2012. Last year Shields had 39 tackles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and 13 passes defensed.
Other Injuries
The Houston Texans have probably lost cornerback Kevin Johnson for the season. Johnson underwent surgery for a broken foot Tuesday.
The New York Jets officially lost wide receiver Eric Decker for the year. He went under the knife for hip surgery Tuesday and will need six weeks to get back on his feet. While he’s down, Decker will also get his shoulder repaired, which will take eight months to bounce back from.
Packers trade for Davis
With Eddie Lacy suffering from a bum ankle, the Packers needed to add another running back and the Kansas City Chiefs had plenty to spare. The Chiefs send Knile Davis, a former fourth-round pick out of Arkansas to Green Bay in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Davis will likely see action Thursday night when the Packers host the Chicago Bears.
In their trade for #KCChiefs RB Knile Davis, the #Packers gave up a conditional late-round pick. Likely based on playing time.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2016
Davis has been a non-factor in the Chiefs backfield this season and has actually hurt his career total and average when he played. He literally has one carry for -2 yards. He’s caught two passes for 14 yards. Cut to two seasons ago when Davis was Jamal Charles’ primary back up he had 463 yards, six touchdowns to go with 16 catches and a score receiving.
Davis was supplanted on the Chiefs’ depth chart last season by Charcandrick West out of Abilene Christian and Spencer Ware from LSU. While Charles has been out of the line up, Ware has taken the lion’s share of carries, averaging 5.3 yards a touch while piling up 415 yards and two touchdowns.
