Darius

Jackson

Jackson appeared in four games in 2018 and spent last year on the practice squad. He was never going to make a crowded depth chart behind Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, and Jordan Wilkins. The Colts also waived WR Rodney Adams, DE Jegs Jegede, OT Cedrick Lang, CB Picasso Nelson, OT Travis Vornkahl and LB Brandon Wellington.

Cut by Dallas over the weekend, Jackson originally ended up on the Cowboys’ practice squad, the Packers offered him a chance on their active roster. Jackson will serve as depth behind Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery during Aaron Jones’ suspension.

Jackson’s TD came on a screen pass delivered by Jameill Showers. With Zeke Elliott, Alfred Morris, and Lance Dunbar (knee) resting, Jackson got the start and was largely unimpressive as he was all August. A sixth-round pick, Jackson finishes the preseason with 40 carries for 141 yards (3.53 YPC) and five catches. Jackson is a candidate for Dallas’ No. 4 back job, or the practice squad.

Through three preseason contests, Dallas’ sixth-round pick has 120 yards on 31 carries (3.87 YPC) and two catches for 24 yards. Jackson should get one more long look in the preseason finale before the Cowboys decide whether to keep him on the 53. Jackson’s chances will rise if Darren McFadden stays on reserve/NFI, though the Cowboys could wind up keeping only three backs if Lance Dunbar (knee) is truly healthy behind Zeke Elliott and Alfred Morris.

No surprises here. Cody Kessler will back up Robert Griffin III, whom Hue Jackson left open the door for this week to be on a short in-game leash.

The move clears a roster spot for Darren McFadden. An UDFA out of Eastern Michigan, Jackson was probably lucky to last as long as he did on the active roster. A high-end athlete, Jackson will get a second chance somewhere else.

Jackson had been buried on the Cowboys’ depth chart before getting cut earlier this week. He’ll still be behind Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson in Cleveland but should see more opportunities than he did in Dallas. The 49ers reportedly put in a claim for Jackson but he went to Cleveland because they have a worse record.

Jackson was waived/injured earlier in the offseason and went unclaimed, putting him on the Browns’ I.R. Jackson figures to be cut with an injury settlement before camp. He was a hyped sixth-round pick of the Cowboys last year.

Cleveland also waived LB Dominique Alexander with a failed physical designation. A 2016 sixth-round pick, Jackson made some noise in the preseason a couple years ago, but he has yet see any action in the regular season. Jackson landed on injured reserve with a knee injury last year.

As the Cowboys also cut Bo Scarbrough, they appear poised to enter the season with only Ezekiel Elliott and Rod Smith at running back. Tavon Austin played 25 snaps in the preseason, and all 25 snaps came at wide receiver.