When Tre'Davious White went down with a knee injury midway through the game against the Saints on Thanksgiving, the severity of the injury was unknown. For backup cornerback Dane Jackson, he knew that he needed to step up and prove to himself and to the team that he was ready for his opportunity to play.
Monday night's game against the Patriots will be Jackson's first start of the season. With White out for the season, it's up to Jackson to fill in for him down the stretch and he won't let this opportunity pass him by.
"Oh, it's a huge opportunity," Jackson said after practice Friday. "I've been telling myself since it happened, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. This is what I've been dreaming of. This is what I've been working for. Obviously, I didn't want it to happen the way it happened, but this is my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm ready to take advantage of it."
In his rookie year, Jackson spent the majority of the season on the practice squad. He made the most of his time on the field and made some impact plays for the team in the five games that he was active. This season, his role has primarily been as a backup, but he has been learning from some of the best defensive backs in the league and patiently waiting for his chance to show his skills.
It would be natural for Jackson to be nervous about filling in for an All-Pro corner, but he isn't. He's been putting in the work and preparing for this exact moment. He's been working alongside White and asking him any questions that he has. He gains confidence when watching film with White because Jackson is starting to see the same looks and reads that White does. Jackson also understands that he won't be out there alone and will have the full support of his teammates.
"I'm a backup, so ultimately, I have to prepare like a starter because you never know what's going to happen here or there," Jackson added. "There's nothing changing in my routine, I just keep getting more confidence from the guys that's been out there all season. I just roll with the punches."
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December 04, 2021 at 08:51AM
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