Packers 2016 Recap: RB Don Jackson
2016 Stats
- Played in 3 games, started 1 game
- 10 rushes, 32 yards
- Pro Football Focus: 63.4/100
Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Incomplete
Analysis: Jackson fumbles chance as Packers feature back
Not all NFL debuts are memorable. Just ask Don Jackson, an undrafted rookie running back from Nevada.
In the first half of the season, Aaron Rodgers didn’t look like himself and the Packers were relying on a steady dose of Eddie Lacy. Then, Lacy exited with a season-ending ankle injury and backup James Starks followed close behind.
Jackson was promoted from the practice squad after Green Bay placed Lacy on injured reserve, and started a Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears.
After five snaps, Jackson suffered a hand injury and left the game.
His hand swelled up, but there was no break to a major bone. He wore a compression glove to help reduce the swelling and after a few days could begin to move his fingers again.
It was a frustrating injury for Jackson, who signed with the Packers after the draft as an undrafted free agent. He continued to play sporadically until mid-November, when he suffered a knee injury in practice that landed him on the season-ending injured reserve.
Through OTAs, Jackson appeared to have a decent chance of making the roster as the team’s third halfback.
"Kind of a tough, between the-tackles runner," an AFC college scout told Bob McGinn about Jackson in April. "He has a shot. He's a top free agent."
Jackson suffered a hairline fracture in his jaw days before training camp began. Green Bay released him before camp was underway, only to bring him back to the practice squad after the injury healed early into the season.