Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) is held by Cleveland Browns defensive back Joe Haden (23) while attempting to catch a pass in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
DeSean Jackson caught 14 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown in the first three weeks of the 2016 season. But he was targeted just once in Week 4 against Cleveland and caught only three balls in Sunday’s win over Baltimore.
“I’m a wide receiver and I’ve got to go run my route and have to have an assist from my quarterback in order for me to do well,” Jackson said. “Hopefully that assist will come around and hopefully sooner or later.”
Jackson was taking a shot there at quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has struggled at times on deep passes this season. The two couldn’t connect on one in the first half against the Ravens when Cousins overthrew Jackson. That’s hard to do.
“I think there were times in the previous games where you say my reads took me to him, but we didn’t connect,” Cousins said. “That’s the plays where you say you want those back.
Jackson, who is in a contract year, makes an impact even in games where he doesn’t get the ball, however. Cousins threw two passes his way in the Browns game and Jackson twice drew a pass-interference call. Those penalties totaled 80 yards.
Cousins is trying to balance getting the ball to multiple high-level receivers, including Jackson, tight end Jordan Reed and wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder.
“I’ve said it before, that’s the hardest thing — to try to get everybody happy and get everybody the necessary touches to make them happy,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “It’s a great challenge for the coordinator, the play caller, quarterback.”
