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Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock didn’t waste any time after seeing his wide receiver group have a low impact in a 23-16 loss at the New York Giants on Sunday.
Mayock is bringing an immediate reinforcement in the form of veteran receiver DeSean Jackson, according to longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson.
I just got a text from free agent WR DeSean Jackson telling me he is going to the #Raiders.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 7, 2021
The fact that Jackson is headed to Las Vegas is not a shock. Longtime NFL reporter Mike Silver reported on Saturday that the Raiders and Jackson had a Zoom meeting. It is somewhat of a surprise that a team would add any player an hour after a game, however. Jackson, who turns 35 next month, should be available to play next Sunday when the Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was reported by several outlets that Jackson had interest from multiple teams. He was cut by the Los Angeles Rams last week and cleared waivers.
DeSean Jackson to the #Raiders. He gets more than a minimum deal here. He’s headed to Vegas. https://t.co/qCMZujGL8o
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 7, 2021
Jackson fills a need for a field stretcher in Las Vegas after the Raiders’ release of Henry Ruggs III last week following his DUI fatal car crash.
The Raiders had five receivers active on Sunday (starters Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones, slot man Hunter Renfrow, Dillon Stoner and Marcell Ateman). They had a combined eight catches for 69 yards ... so, the need for a new receiver was pretty clear.
Jackson, a 14-season veteran, has shown signs of decline. He has just 31 catches since the start of the 2019 season. He had eight catches for the Rams this season, but did average 27.6 yards per catch. So, he does offer the Raiders an element they need.
While anything is possible, the addition of Jackson may mean that the Raiders will not pursue Odell Beckham Jr. He will be available to be claimed Tuesday after being released by the Cleveland Browns.
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