The Baltimore Ravens are right in the thick of the race for the division crown as they lead the AFC North by one game over the Cincinnati Bengals with a 6-3 record. With the Bengals right at the Ravens' tails, improvement on the margins will be critical. The Ravens' activation of DeSean Jackson was made with the veteran intangibles he possesses and his ability to provide a quarterback with a safe pair of hands in mind, and the Ravens needed the help after injuries to key offensive options.
However, with the veteran wide receiver being no spring chicken, set to turn 36 on December 1, the Ravens are understandably being cautious with someone who could help the Ravens' bid to make a deep postseason run. This is especially the case after Jackson left his Ravens debut (a 27-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints) and did not return due to a hamstring injury after being targeted a mere two times, making one catch for 16 yards.
Nevertheless, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that DeSean Jackson's early exit was merely precautionary, and he could have returned to the field had the stakes been higher.
“Yes, he could have gone, but we just felt like… He had a soft tissue thing, which you could expect, and we just felt like, ‘Let’s just be safe,'” Harbaugh said, per ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley.
It doesn't sound as if DeSean Jackson's injury is anything too serious, but these are the kinds of injuries that are easy to aggravate, so the Ravens are wise to err on the side of caution with the 35-year old wideout. A three-time Pro Bowler, Jackson was still a solid contributor last season as he split time with the Los Angeles Rams and the Las Vegas Raiders, and his new ballclub will expect him to provide more of the same.
And with the Ravens getting a bye on Week 10, Jackson will have plenty of time to recover before they return to action against the struggling Carolina Panthers.
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