Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be active today vs. the Patriots for the first time since injuring his hamstring Week 1 vs. the Dolphins.*
The Washington Redskins have the league's top deep threat back in their lineup.
The team announced that wide receiver DeSean Jackson is active for today's game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, marking the first time since suffering a hamstring injury Week 1 vs. the Dolphins that he is expected to play.
Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay said on Friday that having Jackson back could potentially be huge for Washington's offense.
"He can open up everything because I think he gives you the ability to run underneath, intermediate and some things down the field where he's able to stretch coverage," McVay said. "Any time you're able to get a player like him back – if that's what ends up happening on Sunday – it opens up some options because he can do a little bit of everything. We'll look to see if he's playing if we'll be able to utilize those things."
The defense is also expected to receive a boost today, as top cornerback Chris Culliver (knee) and talented second-year cornerback Bashaud Breeland (hamstring) are also listed as active.
Culliver has not played since the Redskins' Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, a matchup in which it was clear the five-year veteran was fighting through pain in his knee.
"He didn't feel like himself," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. "I think he just wanted to get back to 100 percent. He felt like he didn't play his best game, didn't feel right. So we're trying to get him back to 100 percent where he has the pain not there anymore. I think he's getting better. He's done everything he can to get better. He's done everything with the trainers; treatment, been on time, done everything right."
Breeland, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring injury chasing down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin in the fourth quarter of Washington's historic come-from-behind victory Oct. 25.
The second-year Clemson's product's tackle saved the game by keeping Martin out of the end zone, and the Buccaneers would be held to a field goal, setting up the Redskins' game-winning drive.
OTHER ACTIVES, INACTIVES
The Redskins will once again be missing a key part of their secondary on Sunday, however, as veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall will be held out with a toe injury.
Hall has not played since suffering the injury Week 3 vs. the New York Giants, but has slowly worked his way back to practice. He could play as soon as next week vs. the New Orleans Saints.
Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, who underwent surgery Oct. 26 on a broken bone in his right hand, is also active for today's game. Kerrigan suffered the injury in the first half of the Redskins' Week 7 win over the Buccaneers and did not return.
Also active for the Redskins today is linebacker Keenan Robinson (rib/abdomen/shoulder). Ruled out is center Kory Lichtensteiger with a neck injury. Josh LeRibeus will get his third straight start at center in Lichtensteiger's place.
With Jackson back, wide receiver Rashad Ross is inactive today. Chris Thompson will likely be the team's kickoff returner.
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