Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kearis Jackson electrified Nissan Stadium with his ability in the kick return game during the team’s first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers earlier this month.
Under the NFL’s new format, Jackson returned the first kick for 63 yards, which the Titans offense converted into a touchdown for the first time this preseason.
Jackson, who signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft, looked like a player who could possibly make the Titans’ 53-man roster as a depth wide receiver and primary kick returner.
That was then, this is now.
The Georgia product suffered a knee injury in the Titans’ preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks last week. Now, he may have lost his opportunity, as Brian Callahan hinted on Thursday.
Paul Kuharsky asked the Titans head coach if Jackson could be slotted in as the kick returner.
“I think you got to earn that right,” Callahan said. “I don’t know that he’s earned that yet, but I like what I’ve seen from him as a returner. He’s done some really good things, but I would say to label him in anything other than he’s trying to make our team is probably premature. I like what I’ve seen, but he hasn’t been out there for the last few days either, so that doesn’t help.”
With Jackson out, rookie wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson has been making the most of his opportunity, and he could be in line to make the team as part of next week’s roster trim.
The sixth-round pick in this year’s draft has showcased himself as a dynamic punt returner and paired that with a translatable skill set as a depth receiver.
Jackson had four catches for 57 yards in 35 slot snaps for the Titans in the team’s 16-15 win over Seattle last weekend. Per Pro Football Focus, he was the seventh-highest-graded offensive player for Tennessee in that game.
As for Kearis Jackson, his timeline to return to the field remains to be determined, which could ultimately seal his fate regarding the 53-man roster ahead of the Titans’ Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
