Justin Jackson RB FA Thu 8/10/23 12:08 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson was placed on the reserve/retired list Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
Jackson re-signed with the Lions on July 23 after appearing in 16 games with the team last season. He was expected to be competing with Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and Mohamed Ibrahim for the team's No. 3 running back spot, while also possibly handling kick-return duties. Instead, he'll choose to pull himself out of the running and retire. If he does change his mind, Detroit will retain his rights and be able to bring him back in.
Justin Jackson RB FA Sat 7/22/23 1:29 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson signed with the Lions on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
The move comes as the team also waived running back Greg Bell. Jackson primarily played on special teams last year for the Lions while spelling in for D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Jackson will figure to resume his role as a kick returner for the 2023 season, a role he carved for himself in 2022.
Justin Jackson RB FA Sat 2/4/23 5:37 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Thu 1/12/23 1:12 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Wed 1/4/23 4:44 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson (hip) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Sun 1/1/23 11:37 AM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson (hip) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Fri 12/30/22 3:46 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Fri 12/30/22 3:08 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson's teammate Jamaal Williams is not listed on the injury report in advance of Sunday's game against Chicago.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Sun 12/25/22 11:07 AM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
Jackson rushed once for minus-one yard while failing to secure his only target during Saturday's loss to the Panthers.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Justin Jackson RB FA Sun 12/18/22 5:00 PM
Justin Jackson
RB FA
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.