Breakdown of rookie Dan Jackson's injury history with rundown of Lions safeties health
Safety was a moderate need for the Lions entering the draft due to an absence of proven depth behind elite starters Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. The Lions did not address this position in the draft until Dan Jackson from Georgia was taken in the 7th-round. Typically, late-rounders don't make much of an impact in their rookie year, but the dearth of depth creates an opportunity for Jackson to become an exception.
For a 7th-round pick, "There is no certainty, only opportunity" - V for Vendetta.
Here is Jackson's medical history along with a review of the rest of the safety crew heading into the 2025 season.
Advertisement
(Age at start of 2025 season) Credit sports-reference.com for games played data.
Dan Jackson (24) - signed through 2028
2024 Played all 14 games.
2023 Knee "burst bursa" caused 3 missed games. Played 11 of 14 games.
2022 Foot stress fracture surgery ended his season after 7 games.
2021 Played all 15 games.
Regarding the bursa, the knee has multiple bursas (fluid-filled sacs) with the prepatellar bursa being the most commonly injured. As seen last year with Maxx Crosby, sometimes a bursa can become infected and turn into a serious situation. Fortunately, Jackson's wasn't as serious.
Regarding the foot fracture, Jackson described it as a "bone that didn't get much blood supply". This raises suspicion for a Jones fracture which is notorious for having a poor blood supply. It's a great sign that he has two years of proof of recovery since the surgery, but there is still some risk of refracture going forward.
Kerby Joseph (24) - signed through 2029
Just two weeks ago, Joseph signed a 4-year, $86 million extension becoming the highest paid safety in NFL history. It's a remarkable turnaround from last offseason when he had unspecified hip surgery.
The hip is something to monitor long-term but the early returns - zero missed games, nine interceptions, 1st-team All-Pro - are astounding.
Brian Branch (23) - signed through 2026
Like Joseph, Branch had surgery last offseason on his left foot or ankle. Also like Joseph, Branch had a remarkable season, missing only one game (concussion/illness) while finishing with four interceptions and a Pro-Bowl nod.
Brian Branch foot
Despite missing just that one game, Branch appeared to be hampered by minor right leg issues at multiple points late last season. I don't suspect anything too worrisome, but it's something to watch in the coming season.
Morice Norris (24) - signed through 2025
Despite not playing in the first 15 games of the season, Norris was the next man up after Ifeatu Melifonwu strained his hamstring in the playoff game. The fact that an inexperienced, undrafted rookie was getting critical playing time (22 defensive snaps) in a playoff game tells you all you need to know about the Lions safety depth.
Loren Strickland (25) - signed through 2025
Last year, this undrafted rookie had a thumb injury causing him to miss week one. He then played in seven games sporadically throughout the year. His last appearance was in week 15 when he was supplanted by Norris.
OUTLOOK
Jackson has some mild medical concerns in his past but should enter the 2025 season healthy and ready to seize the opportunity to win the backup safety role. With all members of the safety group healthy and young, the Lions will be very strong at the position if quality backups can be developed. Besides the two starters, Jackson is the only one signed beyond 2025 which means it would be ideal if he can become the #3 safety.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Jackson injury history with Lions safeties health statuses
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Rookie DL Walter Nolen III has impressed Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis so far
Rookie DL Walter Nolen III has impressed Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis so far Nolen, the Cardinals' top draft pick, has shown exactly what he needs to so far this offseason. As the Arizona Cardinals progress through their offseason program, the coaches get to see how their rookie class handles preparing for their first NFL season. The Cardinals' first-round pick, defensive tackle Walter Nolen III, has shown defensive coordinator Nick Rallis what he should so far. Rallis, speaking to the media on Tuesday after the team's first practice of their final week of voluntary OTAs, noted he has been impressed with Nolen thus far. "I knew he was gonna be the talent that we saw on tape, but I would say he's very coachable, great to work with," Rallis said. "You see him take those coaching points immediately to the field, whether that's an individual or when going against the offense. And I can tell he studies hard outside the building because he's got things down pretty fast. So pretty impressive so far." Because full contact in practice is not allowed until training camp when pads go on, coaches never get a true gauge of how players in the trenches will do until then. All they can look at right now is preparation, the ability to process information and technique on the field. It would appear that Nolen is more than what he should be so far. That's all we can expect for now. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Carl Nassib, gay NFL pioneer, honored by Smithsonian
Carl Nassib, the first openly gay player to play in a regular-season NFL game, was enshrined in a new exhibit at the National Museum of American History on Tuesday, commemorating a historic moment for LGBTQ athletes amid the Trump Administration's attack on DEI initiatives. The exhibit features his No. 94 Las Vegas Raiders jersey from the 2021 season opener, when his clutch strip sack in overtime keyed a 33-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rams' Puka Nacua is learning a lot from new teammate Davante Adams
Puka Nacua is using organized team activities to hone his craft and prepare for his third NFL season. But the Rams' star receiver also recently took time to help others prepare to avoid potential health challenges. Advertisement Nacua last week returned from a trip to Samoa, where he and his mother joined medical professionals from Utah Valley University to provide testing, clinics and education about diabetes. Nacua said his father, who died when Nacua was a youngster, experienced complications from the disease. So the opportunity to travel with his mother to his maternal grandmother's village was 'kind of a full-circle moment' for his family, Nacua said Tuesday. 'To be able to go and improve the situation in the homeland was something sweet,' Nacua said after the team went through a workout. Nacua, who missed the Rams' first on-field workout because of the trip, appeared to be at full strength Tuesday, with no evidence of the knee injury he fought through last season. Advertisement Nacua is part of a remade Rams receiver corps that is expected to elevate the offense for a team regarded as a Super Bowl contender. Read more: Rams expanding markets, beginning with minicamp in Hawaii The Rams released veteran Cooper Kupp, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and replaced him with three-time All-Pro Davante Adams. They also re-signed Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10-million contract. Second-year pro Jordan Whittington and rookie Konata Mumpfield also are competing for roles. 'It definitely is a little bit different,' Nacua said of Kupp's absence from the receivers' meeting room. 'The spot he used to sit in, I think, it's definitely occupied by somebody now, so everybody's getting used to it.' Advertisement But Nacua said Adams, who was absent Tuesday, has come in and provided leadership. 'Somebody who's played at a super high level his whole career — and the knowledge he has is something different from what we're used to, having Coop in the system a long time,' Nacua said. 'It's been great to have him around and I feel like I'm learning something new every day.' Nacua, 24, proved a quick study after the Rams selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Brigham Young. With Kupp sidelined at the start of the season because of injury, Nacua became quarterback Matthew Stafford's primary target. Nacua enjoyed a record-setting season, catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. He was a finalist for the NFL offensive rookie of the year. Advertisement During training camp before last season, Nacua suffered a knee injury during a joint workout with the Chargers. He then aggravated the issue in the opener against the Detroit Lions, and was sidelined for five games. He still caught 79 passes for 990 yards and three touchdowns for a Rams team that finished with a 10-7 record and advanced to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs before losing to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. Read more: Sean McVay dug deep in his bag of tricks to persuade Davante Adams to sign with Rams Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said Nacua was 'continuing to work on his craft,' during organized team activities. 'He's naturally just a leader,' LaFleur said. 'Just the way he goes about it.' Advertisement In a few weeks, Nacua will play a prominent role for the Rams when they travel to Maui for a minicamp that will conclude voluntary offseason workouts. Nacua, who also is of Hawaiian descent, is expected to be warmly embraced by the locals during some activities that will be open to the public. 'I'm excited,' he said. 'I can't wait for everybody to come out there and have some shaved ice. I'm sure they'll be waiting for us.' Etc. The Rams have four coaches working with them during organized team activities as part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching fellowship program. The coaches are Taylor Embree (tight ends), Chris Marve (defensive backs), Va'a Niumatalolo (outside linebackers) and Greg Stewart (offensive line). Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
