JUSTIN JACKSON NEWS

Strikes deal with Detroit Jackson signed a contract with the Lions on Monday.

Impact Despite averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 68 totes while adding 22 receptions for 178 yards in 14 games during his final season with the Chargers in 2021, Jackson remained on the open market until shortly after the start of training camp before finally catching on with Detroit. Though his strong past production makes him an interesting depth option, Jackson isn't guaranteed to have a path to a rotational role in Detroit while both D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are healthy and signed to more substantial contracts.

AUGUST 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Best season to date Jackson carried the ball three times for 20 yards in Sunday's 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders. The fourth-year back finished the season with 68 carries and 364 rushing yards to...

Impact The 2021 campaign wound up being a career year for the 25-year-old, as Jackson set career highs in carries, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards, though to be fair almost a third of his total production came in the Week 16 loss against the Texans with Austin Ekeler (COVID-19) sidelined. Jackson has always been a coaching staff's favorite, whether that was Anthony Lynn's braintrust or now current head coach Brandon Staley, but the Northwestern product can never seem to stay healthy long enough to capitalize on the momentum. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, it's unclear whether the Chargers will bring back Jackson on a short-term deal or if recent draft picks Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree could be asked to take over as the optimal No. 2 behind Ekeler.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid outing as No. 2 Jackson ran 12 times for 41 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards during Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

Impact In Week 16, Jackson exploded for 162 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in reserve of Austin Ekeler -- who was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. However, Ekeler was back with the team in Week 17, but Jackson was still able to produce another solid outing as the No. 2 running back. Ekeler out-touched (20-to-15) and out-paced (112 yards to 61 yards) Jackson, but the ladder was involved enough to warrant fantasy consideration against the Raiders' porus run defense in Week 18.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Massive effort against Texans Jackson rushed the ball 11 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 41-29 loss to the Texans. He added eight receptions on nine targets for 98 yards.

Impact Jackson took on a huge role in the absence of Austin Ekeler (illness) and led the team in both rushing and receiving yards. He was efficient on the ground by averaging 5.8 yards per carry while also finding the end zone on rushes of 17 and nine yards. Jackson further shined in his role as a pass catcher, tallying receptions of 25 and 17 yards. Despite racking up 162 total yards, Jackson will likely be relegated back to his change-of-pace role if Ekeler is back in action for a Week 17 matchup against Denver.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jackson finds space between linemen for 9-yard TD Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson finds space between linemen for a 9-yard touchdown.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM

Justin Jackson is hardly touched on 17-yard TD run Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson is hardly touched on a 17-yard touchdown run.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM

In line to fill in for Ekeler With Austin Ekeler having announced on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday and won't play Sunday against the Texans, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jack...

Impact As long as Ekeler remains in the NFL's COVID protocols, Jackson figures to head the Chargers' backfield and thus merits fantasy lineup consideration, with Joshua Kelley a candidate for added touches as well and Larry Rountree likely to be active in a depth role against Houston on Sunday.

DECEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Waiver Wire: FAAB Report for Week 16 pickups, free agents RBs Ronald Jones, Justin Jackson, and Samaje Perine will be popular adds, but WRs like Marquez Valdes-Scantling will also be among Week 16's...

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 16: Ronald Jones, Justin Jackson among top free agent pickups With Leonard Fournette and Austin Ekeler in danger of missing Week 16, Ronald Jones and Justin Jackson will both be among the top Week 16 fa...

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Nears 100 total yards in loss Jackson carried the ball 13 times for 86 yards and also caught his lone target for 13 yards in Thursday's 34-28 loss to the Chiefs.

Impact There was rumors Austin Ekeler's banged up ankle could force the Chargers to employ a more split backfield Thursday and that's exactly what unfolded with Jackson toting the ball 13 times to Ekeler's 12 and Joshua Kelley's seven. As has been the case every time Jackson's been healthy, the Northwestern product was clearly the most explosive of the backup ballcarriers, ripping off multiple 10-plus yard runs and even earning a handful of red-zone attempts in the process. The aforementioned qualifier has always been the biggest issue for the 25-year-old as Jackson has struggled to consistently stay on the field throughout his four-year career. Given Jackson's performance Thursday and a relatively easy matchup Week 16 against the Texans up next, it's plausible he could once again see a healthy workload, especially if the Chargers choose to limit Ekeler in an effort to manage his balky ankle once again.

DECEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sees nine carries Jackson ran for 35 yards on nine carries against the Giants on Sunday.

Impact Jackson's workload was slightly boosted due to starter Austin Ekeler (ankle) leaving the game in the third quarter. Splitting the resulting workload with fellow runner Joshua Kelley (10 carries for 33 yards), Jackson was the more productive of the two on a per-touch basis. If Ekeler misses time a similar split between the two runners might persist, with Kelley perhaps more active in the ground game and Jackson more present in passing situations. The Chargers could also reactivate rookie Larry Rountree, who was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high six carries Jackson recorded a season-high six carries for 15 rushing yards and also hauled in two catches for six yards during Sunday's 41-22 win over the Bengals.

Impact Six carries obviously isn't a massive number, but it did represent Jackson's season high in carries and also allowed him to see 15 offensive snaps. This workload was largely the product of the Chargers' insurmountable lead, as four of his six carries were in the last four minutes while the Chargers were running out the clock. The 25-year-old running back has tallied 118 yards on 20 carries this season, and he hasn't been relied upon to handle many carries in neutral game scripts. Barring an injury to lead back Austin Ekeler, Jackson doesn't figure to get involved in the Chargers' gameplan, as he has recorded only one carry during the last two weeks combined.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

One carry in win Jackson carried the ball once for two yards in Sunday night's 41-37 win over the Steelers.

Impact In his first game back from a quad injury that left him sidelined for almost a month, Jackson was unproductive as he was not very involved in the Los Angeles offense. Backup running back Larry Rountree saw 14 more snaps than the 26-year-old did, which is a disappointing sign for Jackson's fantasy managers.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Sunday Jackson (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday against the Steelers.

Impact Between Weeks 5 and 10, Jackson tended to groin and quad issues that limited him to two appearances. Despite logging every practice rep both Thursday and Friday, he was listed as questionable for Week 11, likely as a precautionary measure after missing three games during the aforementioned stretch. It's unclear if Jackson will be Austin Ekeler's direct backup Sunday with rookie sixth-rounder Larry Rountree also available and Joshua Kelley a healthy scratch. Aside from a 75-yard run Week 8 against the Patriots, Jackson has averaged 2.2 yards on his 12 carries and hauled in all seven targets for 34 yards in six games.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Practices fully, but listed as questionable Jackson (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Steelers.

Impact Jackson was listed as a full practice participant Thursday and Friday, but his official questionable tag and the Chargers' late kickoff this week should be enough to deter fantasy managers from rolling the dice in Week 11 lineups on a player who's firmly behind top back Austin Ekeler in his team's RB pecking order.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Week 11 Jackson was a full participant at practice Thursday after nursing a quadriceps injury to open the week.

Impact The running back should be good to go for Sunday against the Steelers after missing the last two contests. As a result of his expected return, Joshua Kelley will likely revert back to a smaller role in the backfield.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Wednesday Jackson (quadriceps) turned in a limited practice Wednesday.

Impact Jackson has missed two straight games with the shoulder issue, but his return to the practice field bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers. Even if he suits up Week 11, the 25-year-old has yet to play more than 15 offensive snaps in any game this season.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Sunday Jackson (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact With Jackson still out, look for Joshua Kelley to serve as the Chargers' No. 2 back Sunday behind Austin Ekeler, with Larry Rountree on hand in a reserve role.

NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as doubtful Jackson (quadriceps) has been deemed doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Jackson's doubtful designation comes after he was a non-participant at practice all week. Should he end up not suiting up, as he appears to be trending, Joshua Kelley would presumably be the No. 2 back behind Austin Ekeler.

NOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Wednesday's practice Jackson (quadriceps) didn't practice for the Chargers on Wednesday.

Impact Jackson first injured his quadriceps in the Chargers' Week 8 loss to the Patriots. The running back was forced to miss Los Angeles' Week 9 contest as he was unable to practice ahead of the game. After missing another practice early in the week, it's possible Jackson may not be able to suit up again. Expect Joshua Kelley to see an increased role if Jackson can't play against the Vikings.

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Jackson (quadriceps) will not play Sunday against the Eagles, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Jackson was unable to get in a practice this week after leaving early Sunday against the Patriots. With Jackson out, Larry Rountree and potentially Joshua Kelley, who was a healthy scratch in Week 8, will take on larger roles behind Austin Ekeler.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Thursday Jackson (quadriceps) did not participate in practice Thursday.

Impact Jackson left Sunday's loss to the Patriots early after getting 79 yards on three carries, and has now missed practice for the second day in a row. If Jackson can't play Sunday against the Eagles Larry Rountree and potentially Joshua Kelley, who was a healthy scratch in Week 8, would take on larger roles.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Wednesday's practice Jackson (quad) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact If Jackson -- who carried three times for 79 yards (including a 75-yard gain) before leaving this past Sunday's loss to the Patriots -- is limited or out this weekend against the Eagles, added touches behind lead back Austin Ekeler would be available for Larry Rountree and potentially Joshua Kelley, who was a healthy scratch in Week 8.

NOVEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Day-to-day with injury Jackson carried the ball three times for 79 yards before leaving Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Patriots with a quad injury. Coach Brandon Staley believes Jackson is "day-to-day" with...

Impact Jackson ripped off a 75-yard run early in the second quarter, but had to leave the game shortly after with the aforementioned injury. The fourth-year back has played just just over 50 offensive snaps this season.

NOVEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Jackson (quadriceps) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Impact Jackson was playing as a backup to Austin Ekeler, so his involvement on offense wasn't very high to begin with -- meaning not many fantasy rosters should be affected in case Jackson doesn't return to action. Expect Larry Rountree to replace the former Northwestern standout.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE