As the New England Patriots’ timeline for competitiveness seems to stretch further into the future, nurturing young talent becomes increasingly crucial. Offensive development remains the team’s main focus, as it has been in recent years. However, the Pats’ ability to assess their players is hampered if those players are sidelined.
Undrafted rookie wide receiver JaQuae Jackson suffered a non-contact knee injury in the fourth quarter of New England’s 14-13 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to him being carted off the field, according to Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. Jackson had previously made a notable play, catching a 38-yard touchdown pass from third-string quarterback Joe Milton in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, though he didn’t record a reception in the Week 2 game. As he competes for a roster spot, it’s particularly unfortunate to see his first training camp potentially cut short in such a severe manner.
At 24, Jackson has made significant progress, transitioning from Division II football to Rutgers in the Big Ten. Although he had modest stats with
