The Detroit Lions placed running back Justin Jackson on the Reserve/Retired list on Thursday and also signed free-agent running back Benny Snell Jr. to an undisclosed deal. Jackson, a former seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018, had 42 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown in 16 games (zero starts) for the Lions last year, adding 12 receptions for 101 yards and another score through the air. In his five NFL seasons, Jackson totaled 248 carries for 1,210 yards and five touchdowns while adding 77 catches for 609 yards and a TD on 98 targets. Behind rookie first-rounder Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Devine Ozigbo, Snell and rookie Mohamed Ibrahim.
The Lions re-signed running back Justin Jackson. The 27-year-old spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining Detroit last offseason. Unfortunately, he hasn't been a pivotal offensive option since entering the league. However, Jackson hasn't had a horrible career, rushing for 1,210 yards while totaling six touchdowns. But the Lions have Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Craig Reynolds listed above him on the depth chart, meaning he probably won't do much for fantasy managers unless someone gets hurt during the year. In a corresponding move, the team waived running back Greg Bell.
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (hip) is officially out for Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Jackson came into the game listed as questionable after picking up a hip injury in Friday's practice, and he'll end up sitting this one out. The 26-year-old has been the clear No. 3 in Detroit's backfield this year behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, and he has just 168 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding 90 receiving yards and another score in 15 games played. With Jackson out in a good matchup against Chicago, it's good news for both Swift and Williams as the Lions look to keep their playoff hopes alive in the second-to-last regular season game of the 2022 campaign.
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson turned 10 touches into 77 yards in the win over the New York Giants. D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams were expected to split touches for the Lions, but Jackson's involvement in the offense makes this backfield even more tricky to navigate. Swift rushed for one touchdown while Williams rushed for three, but Jackson might be worth picking up in deep leagues as a handcuff in a top offensive committed to running the football.
The Detroit Lions signed running back Justin Jackson to their active roster on Wednesday. Jackson, who had eight carries for 44 yards while adding two catches for 39 yards in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was on the team's practice squad during the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2018 spent the first four years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining Detroit this offseason. Jackson will provide some more backfield depth behind D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
The Detroit Lions signed free-agent running back Justin Jackson to an undisclosed deal on Monday. In his fourth NFL season in 2021, Jackson finished with a career-high 68 carries for 364 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns and added 22 catches for 178 yards on 25 targets in 14 games (two starts) for the Los Angeles Chargers behind bell-cow back Austin Ekeler. The 26-year-old will have to learn a completely new offense with training camp having already started last week, but he'll provide the Lions with valuable depth behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Jackson is unlikely to have much fantasy value in 2022 unless Swift and Williams miss time with injuries.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson took a backseat with Austin Ekeler returning in a Week 17 victory against the Denver Broncos. Despite playing second fiddle, the Chargers had a sizable lead for much of the game and Jackson was able to pick up 41 yards on 12 carries. He also caught all three of his targets for 20 yards. The veteran was a savior for many managers in Week 16 and he remains one of the more valuable insurance policies entering the final game of the season versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson started in Week 16 versus the Houston Texans with Austin Ekeler inactive and came through in a big way for his fantasy managers. The veteran saw 11 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown and he also chipped in with eight receptions for 98 yards. The touchdown was his first in three years, and fantasy managers that insured Ekeler with Jackson had no reason to complain about the end result. It's become clear that Jackson is the No. 2 running back behind Ekeler and should be rostered in all formats. Ekeler is expected to return in Week 17 versus the Denver Broncos, though, and will be an RB1 in that contest, but Jackson will be one of the top insurance policies for the stretch run.
Justin Jackson - Week 16 Outlook for Fantasy Football
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson could see extended opportunities in Week 16 versus the Houston Texans with starting running back Austin Ekeler currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The Texans run defense has been exploited all season long and is allowing 125 yards and over a touchdown per game on the ground. They have been successful preventing running backs from doing much in the passing game with just four receptions for 25 yards, but Jackson still has an appetizing matchup on Sunday. Jackson would likely see the bulk of the work if Ekeler were to miss Week 16, with Joshua Kelley also getting into the mix. Should Ekeler be sidelined, fantasy managers should consider Jackson an RB2 with upside in a favorable matchup.
Justin Jackson Leads The Chargers Backfield In Week 15
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson led the team in carries in a tough Week 15 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. With starting running back Austin Ekeler entering the game with a sore ankle, Jackson saw more than his usual workload and would finish with a team-high 13 carries. The veteran was productive with 86 rushing yards and he also had one reception for 13 yards. It was the most action that Jackson has seen this season, but with Ekeler having plenty of time to rest up for a Week 16 contest against the Houston Texans, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from Jackson next week. Running back Joshua Kelley also had seven carries on the evening but only picked up 21 yards and had a costly fumble on the one-yard line. Moving forward, Jackson appears to be the top insurance policy for Ekeler and should be rostered in deeper formats down the stretch as one of the top backups in the league.
