Former San Francisco 49ers second-round pick and outside linebacker Drake Jackson is trying to restart his NFL career.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jackson has been cleared from a knee injury that kept him out all of the 2024 season and has visits set up with the Washington Commanders, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens next week.
Jackson was taken with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft and appeared in 23 games (no starts) with the 49ers over two seasons. He tallied six sacks, 21 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception and nine QB hits in that span.
Jackson suffered a patellar tendon tear in his knee during the 2023 campaign, which led to him missing half that season and all of the next. The Niners ended up waiving Jackson with a failed physical designation in May.
"That's been a tough injury," 49ers general manager Lynch said in February. "We found that out with Mike McGlinchey. Those quad tendon repairs -- you've got to really think long and hard before you have that because it doesn't just make it go away."
"Drake hasn't had setbacks, but he has had trouble coming back from it. It's not been the most encouraging thing. Hopefully, it takes a turn for the positive because we've seen Drake when he's healthy. He can be a real effective player for us. So we're crossing our fingers and putting in all the work as is Drake," Lynch added.
Seeing as how they are absolutely ravaged by injuries, the Ravens are probably the best bet for Jackson to get playing time in his first season back.
Washington just lost Javonte Jean-Baptists to a significant injury, so that wouldn't be a bad landing spot for him, either.
New York has a pretty crowded situation on their defensive front, so they would appear to be the lesser option of the three.
Another team that could use edge rusher help is, well, the 49ers, who won't have Nick Bosa for the remainder of 2025 due to a torn ACL, but there hasn't been an indication the Niners are going to kick the tires on their former draft pick.
More NFL News
- Steelers' DeShon Elliott has choice words for NFL after fine
- Rams' Puka Nacua makes NFL history in Week 5 vs. 49ers
- Mac Jones vs. Brock Purdy: Do the 49ers have a QB controversy?
- Brock Bowers gets troubling injury update ahead of Week 5
- Ravens' Lamar Jackson expected to miss multiple games