The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been without the services of veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson for the last few weeks due to a thumb injury.

However, Jackson appears to be moving toward possibly being back in the fold for this week's action against the Dallas Cowboys. (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk)

Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson is “hopeful” of returning this week after missing the past three games with a thumb injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

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This has been an injury that has continued to linger on for Jackson throughout the year that he had recently revealed that he suffered back during the season opener. He had been able to play through it for much of the year until he aggravated it back in Week 12 action against the New York Giants.

It has been a difficult campaign for Jackson as he has voiced his disgruntlement with his role within the offense that has continued to fluctuate as the season has worn along. He currently has 40 receptions for 750 receiving yards and four touchdowns. In his last four games played, he has failed to reach 40 receiving yards three times while his last touchdown reception came on Oct. 28 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He had begun the year on a hot stretch with three 100 receiving yard performances it the first four games played.

His increased level of displeasure with where he stands with the team has created more uncertainty that he will be with this team beyond this season as he's currently in the second year of his three-year, $33.5 million deal. The final year of his contract for the 2019 season currently has no dead cap hit if the team were to elect to part ways with him. In the meantime, it appears that Jackson could be in play to take the field in the final two games of the year.