After waiting 138 long days, Redskins fans Monday evening finally got to see the team's newest weapon in action.
Signed by the team in April, dynamic wide receiver DeSean Jackson made his Redskins debut in the team's second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.
After missing the team's first preseason game with a minor ankle injury, Jackson said he was eager to get out and perform for the FedExField faithful.
"It felt great to get out there and play finally," Jackson said.
It didn't take long for quarterback Robert Griffin III to call Jackson's number against Cleveland.
On their second play from scrimmage, the Redskins faced a 2nd and 5 from their own 28-yard line. Griffin III took the snap and faked the handoff to running back Alfred Morris and couldn't find an open receiver as he went through his initial reads.
But the offensive line gave Jackson enough time to break free from Browns cornerback Joe Haden along the sideline, where the ball was placed from Griffin III. Jackson did the rest from there, catching the pass and getting away from Haden before earning a few extra yards and getting pushed out of bounds at the Cleveland 49-yard line to complete the 23-yard play.
The 69,127 fans then voiced their loud approval.
Jackson would be targeted three more times in the half, and finished the game with two catches for 34 yards. He said it was nice to share the field with fellow Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon, who also missed the preseason opener against the New England Patriots with a hamstring injury.
"Me and Pierre was able to get out there after missing the first preseason game and just fly around and get on the same page as [Griffin III] and just do some great things," Jackson said. "I think we had a couple of great drives. "
Griffin III said he thought the first-team offense was able to show some of its potential through the passing game against the Browns, which included a 49-yard bomb to wide receiver Andre Roberts on the final play of the first quarter.
"I just think we did a good job getting our weapons involved," the third-year quarterback said. "DeSean had some catches, Andre Roberts, Pierre, and just finding different ways to get the ball in their hands and let them make plays."
For his part, Jackson also wanted to display his versatility as a receiver. The three-time Pro Bowler has made a career out of catching the deep ball, but knows he can be dangerous running any route at any given point of the game.
"People don't really realize that I can do it all – short, deep and mid-range. I just like to consider myself an all-around receiver," Jackson said. "Don't look at me as just being a deep threat. Making short passes into long gains is something I love to do. The opportunities will present itself and I'm going to go out there and make the most out of it."
Jackson and the Redskins' offense hope to continue their development Saturday, when they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
"Maybe we get out there and play two quarters versus a very good team, very physical team with a great defense," Jackson said.
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