IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are quite familiar with DeSean Jackson, but that hardly makes him easy to defend.
After missing six games with a hamstring injury, the Redskins' veteran receiver has been rounding into form the last couple weeks. He has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games, including a 63-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Kirk Cousins off playaction in Washington's 20-14 win over the Giants. He had eight catches for 87 yards the previous week against Carolina.
Since getting drafted by the Eagles in the second round in 2008, Jackson has scored more 50-plus yard touchdowns (23) than any player in the league during that seven-year span – and it isn't close. The Packers' Jordy Nelson is second among receivers with 14.
Jackson has played Dallas every season since 2008 with the Eagles or Redskins. He has topped 100 receiving yards twice and 200 yards once. The Cowboys know he can beat a defense deep, and that he can also make big gains on short throws.
"He's a big-play guy," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said, "and he makes big plays by them getting the ball in his hands with quick screens or short passes where he's dynamic, run with it after the catch, and then on some of their playaction stuff he's the guy they like to go to down the field.
"We've been going against him for a number of years in Washington and Philadelphia before that. He's a dangerous guy when the ball is in his hands. He's quick, he's explosive and they try to take advantage of that."
