EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After leading the Eagles with eight catches for 88 yardsand nearly pulling off another miraculous punt returnin Sunday nights improbable (is that strong enough? ... see story) 17-10 win over the Giants, DeSean Jackson strapped a walking boot on his right ankle.
Early in the second quarter, Jackson made a diving 32-yard reception and briefly left with what was announced as a knee injury. After the game head coach Andy Reid said Jackson had gotten his knee and his head checked, but everything checked out OK.
What's with the boot?
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A player stepped on my foot, Jackson said. Its just a kind of a little sprain or whatever. It will be all right. The biggest thing is we got the win.
Not sure whether Reid was joking about Jacksons head, but in the second quarter Jackson negated his 50-yard reception by taunting. Because the Giants were called for illegal use of hands, the penalties offset. Had the Giants not been flagged on the play, then the reception would have countedsubtract the penalty yards.
I questioned it, Reid said. They offset so
So Jackson had a chance to atone for it, and he did shortly before halftime. Jackson came within a spike length of repeating last seasons miraculous 65-yard, game-winning punt return. This time, however, he stepped out at the 14 after gaining 51 yards, and one play later Steve Smith burned his former mates for the Eagles first touchdown.
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Asked if he finds Jackson maddening, Reid responded: When hes returning those long punts, I find him quite appealing.Hes got that youthful energy. I enjoy him and try to be as honest with him as I can.
Jacksons biggest play set up the Eagles second touchdown. With 3:45 left in the fourth quarter, on third-and-four from the Giants 20, Vince Young tossed the ball to Jackson, who shed cornerback Corey Webster and gained 10 yards.
Thats a play in short-yardage that we always kind of count on and go to, Jackson said. He made a great calltalking about Marty Mornhinwegand Vince made a great throw, and I did a great job of making the guy miss and getting up the field. Im kind of mad at myself for not scoringthe linebacker pushed me out and I kind of stumbled a little bit, but the biggest thing was we got the first down.
For Jackson, the biggest thing was contributing to a victory a week after his absence led to a loss.
Im a firm believer in kind of putting everything behind yourself in life, he said. Things happen sometimes unfortunately, but a lot of times youve just got to be a professional about the situation, and I was able to do that.
I just really let me team down. What I love to do is come out here and help this team win games. The play-making ability, just the spark, the energy Im able to bring to this teampeople dont really understand the life that I bring and just kind of shine on my teammates. Coach Reid always said, give me energy, give me energy. This week was great. We came here 3-6. A lot of people really doubted us, and dont think we can finish strong, but as a team I think we can do it.
E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com