Tag: d’marco jackson

Saints defense could welcome back a badly-missed starter against the Chargers

The Saints defense could return a badly-missed starter against the Chargers this week. Pete Werner is working his way back from a hamstring injury:

The New Orleans Saints defense could welcome back a badly-missed starter against the Los Angeles Chargers this week. Veteran linebacker Pete Werner is recovering from a hamstring injury, and Saints head coach Dennis Allen  is optimistic about his chances.

“He’s doing well,” Allen said Monday, “I’m expecting that we’ll have some guys coming back this week. But, we’ll see how it goes throughout the course of the week.”

Injuries have hit the Saints hard before the regular season’s midpoint. Werner has had to miss their last three games, all losses in which the run defense was gashed for a combined 671 yards on the ground. Missed tackles and miscommunication have run rampant, and it’s clear they miss Werner’s presence at the second level.

Of course he isn’t the only player out with an injury; Allen has previously said that key offensive players like right guard Cesar Ruiz, tight end Taysom Hill, and even quarterback Derek Carr are trending in the right direction, though at varying paces. But when Allen’s reputation hinges on being a defensive mastermind, his defense’s breakdown will draw the most scrutiny.

Hopefully Werner’s return can clean up their mess in the middle of the field. Backups like Anfernee Orji and D’Marco Jackson have been around the ball a lot, but they have each missed tackles, and Demario Davis hasn’t looked like himself while dealing with an injury of his own. The Saints are planning on Werner leading the way to the future at linebacker after signing him to an extension during training camp, and a strong performance in L.A. would do a lot to build confidence in that plan.

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Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. shares update after hand injury

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s game with a hand injury. On Monday, he shared a photo after apparently undergoing surgery:

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons with what was announced as a hand injury. On Monday, Gay shared a photo on Instagram after apparently undergoing surgery, via Saints News Network’s John Hendrix, but we shouldn’t speculate too much. It could be a hand issue or maybe a wrist. Either way Gay was wearing a sling over his left arm.

It’s another tough blow to a Saints defense already dealing with multiple injuries. Demario Davis missed that Falcons game with a hamstring issue. Tyrann Mathieu left partway through with a groin problem, and he was already managing an injured heel. It’s a lot to deal with.

The good news is the Saints have an extra day of rest before their Monday night game with the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Depending on what he procedure he underwent, Gay could try wearing a club over his left hand and play through it, but there’s too little information for us to do more than  speculate. If Gay and Davis are both unavailable we should expect Pete Werner to continue starting while D’Marco Jackson and Anfernee Orji step into the lineup. Stay tuned for updates.

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Taysom Hill officially limited on Week 3 Saints injury report vs. Eagles

The New Orleans Saints have shared their Thursday injury report, adding Will Harris (calf) and A.T. Perry (illness) to the mix. Taysom Hill was officially limited at practice:

The New Orleans Saints have sent out their second injury report leading up to Week 3, which has some positives and some negatives worth noting on it. Multiple players were added to the injury report, with starting safety Will Harris (calf) and wide receiver A.T. Perry (illness) being grouped into the injured list of players.

Khalen Saunders (calf) and Landon Young (foot) both did not practice today as well, as they were not practicing Wednesday either. Cedrick Wilson Jr. (abdomen), Tyrann Mathieu (heel), Taliese Fuaga (back), and Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) all remained limited Thursday, which was mostly expected, as to prevent any aggravation of their current injuries.

For the good news, Jaylan Ford (hamstring) and Rashid Shaheed (hip) both practiced fully as they did Wednesday, which is a good sign for their health heading into Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally for the linebacker department, D’Marco Jackson (calf) moved from did not practice to limited for Thursday, which is a good sign as he had missed a decent chunk of time with that injury. Finally, Taysom Hill (chest) also improved from did not practice to limited, which is exactly what you want to see, and what Dennis Allen had hoped for heading into Thursday.

Also worth noting on the other side, both A.J. Brown (hamstring) and Johnny Wilson (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row. Additionally, former Saints safety Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson was added with a foot injury, and did not practice as well.

Here is the full injury report for Thursday’s practice:

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B/R says Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at roster cuts

There’s only so many roster spots in the Saints locker room, and Bleacher Report argues D’Marco Jackson is the odd man out at linebacker:

Every NFL team must finish roster cuts by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The New Orleans Saints’ final preseason game wrapped up on Sunday and for many players it was also their final audition.

There were 91 players on the roster for Saints training camp but only 53 will make the final roster. Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon says when Tuesday rolls around, the Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at linebacker:

D’Marco Jackson has faced a dilemma all summer: New Orleans signed Willie Gay, drafted Jaylan Ford and lost no major contributor at linebacker. Without a surge, Jackson would be a cut candidate. Entering the final preseason game, nothing has changed.

This doesn’t even mention the progress of Anfernee Orji or the pickup of veteran free agent Khaleke Hudson. Orji has likely snagged that first spot behind the starting unit. He impressed during last week’s matchup versus the 49ers and has had a good camp. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, and Willie Gay are safe. Ford has been dealing with an injury and could start the season on injured reserve. But the Saints typically roster five linebackers with another backup or two on the practice squad.

One thing that bodes well for Jackson is he’s a strong special teams player. That being said, he is currently dealing with an injury, and that may have made a difference. Poor timing can’t be helped. We’ll see whether the Saints ultimately keep five or six linebackers when roster cuts go through on Tuesday afternoon.

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Countdown to Kickoff: D’Marco Jackson is the Saints Player of Day 52

Countdown to Kickoff: D’Marco Jackson is the Saints Player of Day 52. The former App State linebacker is facing tough competition at training camp

There are 52 days left until the New Orleans Saints kick off their regular season, which makes D’Marco Jackson our Saints Player of the Day. The current holder of the No. 52 jersey made the 53-man roster last season after missing his rookie year with an injury, but he’s facing more competition if he’s going to pull off that feat again in 2024:

  • Name (Age): D’Marco Jackson (22)
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 233 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 8.30
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,064,229
  • College: Appalachian State
  • Drafted: 5th round in 2022 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 3 years

Jackson had a good year in his role. He was one of 19 players who recovered a fumble and recovered it for a touchdown; his fellow linebacker Nephi Sewell blocked a punt against the Carolina Panthers, and Jackson was in position to make a play. Zack Baun led the Saints with 385 special teams snaps and Jackson was right there with him at 384, and his 8 tackles in the kicking game were second-most on the team behind J.T. Gray (11).

So we know he can play in the game’s third phase. But Jackson needs to show he can be an asset on defense, too. He didn’t get many opportunities behind Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Baun and Sewell. While Sewell is recuperating from a late-season knee injury, the Saints did sign Willie Gay Jr. in free agency, which is going to keep Jackson lower on the depth chart.

He’s got competition. The Saints claimed former Tennessee Titans third-round pick Monty Rice off of waivers last year and signed Khaleke Hudson from the Washington Commanders. Then they drafted Jaylan Ford in the fifth round (the same as Jackson) and picked up Isaiah Stalbird as a rookie free agent. They also brought back Anfernee Orji after he spent his rookie year on their practice squad.

New Orleans typically rosters five linebackers with two or three in reserve on the practice squad, so Jackson has his work cut out for him in earning a spot on the 53-man roster again this summer. A fast start at training camp next week will do a lot to help his chances but consistency is key.

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D’Marco Jackson predicted to be the Saints’ most notable roster cut

It’s way too early, but Bleacher Report is already predicting the Saints’ most notable roster cut will be linebacker D’Marco Jackson:

Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon predicted linebacker D’Marco Jackson as the New Orleans Saints most notable roster cut. Jackson isn’t a notable name on the roster, so him ending as the most notable roster cut would be great for the Saints. That means a player like Payton Turner once again looks good in training camp.

Kenyon’s criteria for the most notable roster cut from each team, identifying a player who may not be released early in the offseason, but instead after training camp. More likely than not, each team’s notable roster cut won’t happen until right before final roster cuts. Here’s why he sees the Saints possibly moving on from Jackson:

On the bright side, the Saints are stacked with experience at linebacker. Demario Davis and Pete Werner combined for 214 tackles last year, and Nephi Sewell showed promise, too. New Orleans also signed Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson and Monty Rice this offseason before drafting Jaylan Ford. All of those additions may have squeezed out D’Marco Jackson.

Jackson is definitely fighting for a roster spot, and rookie draft pick Jaylan Ford is the player most likely to squeeze him out. Davis, Werner, and Gay are roster locks. Last season, the Saints had five linebackers make the initial 53-man roster. So after the clear Big 3, that leaves two spots.

Sewell, Jackson and Ford are the most likely contenders entering training camp. Sewell will miss most, if not all, of training camp. If he is ready for the season, however, I project he earned a roster spot from his 2023 performance. The battle between Ford and Jackson will likely come down to special teams. If Jackson remains the best special teams player, he’ll retain his spot over Ford and the undrafted free agent rookies.

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Chris Tabor explains what happened on Johnny Hekker’s fumble

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor doesn’t care about your fantasy team.

So, did the New Orleans Saints cause a blocked punt or a fumble of Johnny Hekker on Sunday? Whatever it was, it didn’t matter to Carolina Panthers interim head coach Chris Tabor.

In the second quarter of Week 14’s eventual 28-6 loss, the Panthers opened up the flood gates on Hekker—as linebacker Saints Nephi Sewell went untouched to the All-Pro punter. Sewell then blocked, or forced a fumble, on Hekker—giving way to an 8-yard return for a touchdown by Spartanburg native D’Marco Jackson.

Tabor, who is also still Carolina’s special teams coordinator, was asked about the play to kick off his postgame press conference.

“It was a blocked punt,” he said. “Man didn’t go out and block the guy like he was supposed to. So, that’s a mistake that obviously cannot happen.”

At first, the play was ruled as a blocked punt. But since Hekker never actually punted the ball, the league changed it to a fumble.

Either way, it was a bad result.

“To me, it’s a blocked punt,” Tabor later added. “It’s a blocked punt, they scored off it. However people wanna score it in fantasy football, it doesn’t matter to me. We made a mistake, didn’t do our job and that hurt us there.”

Well, hopefully all of your fantasy teams had a fine performance this week, regardless.

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WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers fumble and it is returned for a TD

WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers special teams fumble and D’Marco Jackson returns it for a big Saints touchdown

With Steve Gleason in the house, the New Orleans Saints come away with a blocked punt against the Carolina Panthers that was brought back for a touchdown.

Nephi Sewell ran through the Panthers special teams virtually unblocked and was able to get to Johnny Hekker in time for a loud block. Fellow young linebacker D’Marco Jackson was there to scoop up the ball and ran it in for the touchdown.

But it’s not going down in the stats sheet as a blocked punt. The NFL office reviewed the play and found that Hekker never actually kicked the ball, so it’s being recorded as a forced fumble, recovery, and return for a special teams touchdown. Either way, the points came as a sigh of relief on a day where neither offense had found consistent success.

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Putrid Panthers find another way to give up points against Saints

A TD off a blocked punt for the Saints against the Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are the worst team in the NFL and it isn’t close.

As the NFC South basement residents were in New Orleans on Sunday, they gave the Saints points via special teams.

The punt was blocked and recovered by D’Marco Jackson, who took it back 8 yards for the 14-3 lead after the PAT.

Bryce Young was being tormented by the Saints defense. He was 3-of-15 for 29 yards in the first half.

Saints defense picks up steam after slow start at joint practices with Chargers

Saints defense picked up steam after a slow start at joint practices with the Chargers on Thursday, forcing takeaways and limiting big gains | @southexclusives

If you want your defense to be tested in joint practices, the Los Angeles Chargers are a good team to have on your schedule. They bring an elite young quarterback in Justin Herbert with a litany of weapons at wide receiver and running back, all of whom tested the New Orleans Saints defense on Thursday.

Early in the practice it looked as if the Chargers offense was set to get the best of day one. One on one drills between the wide receivers and defensive backs are normally slanted to the offense anyway. Halfway through one on one drills the Saints secondary flipped a switch and carried that momentum through the rest of the day.

Once practice moved into seven on seven and team portion, the Saints defense kept the Chargers mostly to throws underneath. Alontae Taylor had a good day, taking first team reps, and recorded a few pass breakups. Payton Turner also continued his strong camp with multiple sacks and run stops.

In the running game, Nephi Sewell and Marshon Lattimore combined to force a fumble which Lattimore returned for a touchdown. Rookie defensive end Isaiah Foskey would have had a sack on a play; the teams continued the play and it resulted in a D’Marco Jackson interceptions. Forcing turnovers has been a key for the Saints this offseason, and they’ve forced two in the preseason game and two more in the first day of joint practices.

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