There were high expectations for San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson following an offseason transformation last year. Starting the season with three sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers only heightened those expectations.
However, those three sacks would end up being Jackson's total for the season. As the season progressed, the defensive lineman's snap count reduced, and after eight game appearances, Jackson found himself on injured reserve.
In January, Jackson underwent surgery, vowing to return with "a vengeance."
It looks like #49ers DE Drake Jackson underwent knee surgery. He posted the following on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/k7u5XXzx9C
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) January 10, 2024
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that Jackson underwent left quadriceps surgery but remains optimistic about his readiness for the 49ers' offseason program, aiming to be fully prepared by the time training camp rolls around.
"I'll be out there some time this spring. I can't wait," Jackson told NBC Sports Bay Area. "I'm going to be ready for training camp, for sure."
Jackson, entering his third NFL season, was selected by San Francisco out of USC in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Across two seasons, he has appeared in 23 games, tallying 21 career tackles, six sacks, and one interception.
Throughout the 2023 season, Jackson's Pro Football Focus grades steadily declined, possibly due to the defender battling injury. Notably, he never achieved a grade higher than 57.8 in his final five game appearances.
"I think he's going through some struggles that you see players go through," remarked general manager John Lynch in November when addressing Jackson's performance. "I would say Drake's been a little nicked up, too. He's been dealing with some things that [have him] just not feeling at full strength all the time."
Now, Jackson eagerly anticipates reuniting with his teammates.
"I can't wait to just be on the field and be with my guys," Jackson told NBC Sports Bay Area. "The last four weeks, I wasn't with the team at all. I missed bonding with my guys and being in the locker room and laughing. I just can't wait to be back in the swing of things and playing football."