Ravens Add Experienced Wide Receiver To Man Up Young Receiving Core

DeSean Jackson will bring added depth to the Ravens receivers but needs to stay healthy in their NFL games this season. Justin Casterline/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

DeSean Jackson gets a chance to play his 15th NFL season with the Ravens
Jackson is expected to add experience to the young receiving core of the Ravens
The Ravens need to monitor the durability of Jackson to ensure that their passing game is not disrupted

The Baltimore Ravens could use some help on the receiving, and DeSean Jackson could help them achieve that.

Jackson's agent informed Adam Schefter of ESPN that the 35-year-old NFL player has been signed to the Ravens practice squad on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

However, the belief is that Jackson will get elevated on game day to bolster Baltimore's deep-passing game.

Considering Jackson made a good account of himself last NFL season when he split time between the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders, there is reason to be upbeat.

He finished 2021 with 20 catches for 454 yards–a career-high average of 22.7 yards per catch.

That alone showed that the former second-round pick of the 2008 NFL Draft hasn't lost his speed and could provide added help to the Ravens' passing game.

Looking ahead, this also speaks well for the Ravens as they add another deep threat at wide receiver.

So far in six games, Baltimore's passing game has run through tight end Mark Andrews.

The 35-year-old wide receiver is also expected to help the young receiving corps led by Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay.

Of the two, Bateman is out due to a sprained left foot.

He has missed two games so far, but head coach John Harbaugh says that he is "close" to returning.

Jackson also becomes the latest player aged above 30 years old to be signed by the Ravens over the past six years.

The others before him include Dez Bryant, Mike Wallace and Michael Crabtree.

It should also be noted that there are questions about the durability of the California native.

Last season, he played in only 16 games with the Rams and the Las Vegas Raiders. He also missed 28 games from 2018 to 2020 due to thumb, ankle and abdominal strain injuries.

Jackson ranks 36th on the NFL's all-time receiving list with 11,110 yards. He has totaled 632 receptions (18.3-yard average) and has caught 58 touchdown passes.

Aside from the Rams, Raiders and Ravens, the three-time Pro Bowler also suited up at one time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins/Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.