Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson hasn’t taken a hit since the one that put him out of commission back in November. Not that that’s deterring him at all.
When asked Tuesday what he’s looking forward to most in his first preseason game, Jackson summed it up in one word: “Contact.”“We do not hit a lot during training camp like we used to in the old days," Jackson told reporters. "So, to go out there and get the first initial contact and be live and be tackled, and things like that, it is the next step in the process.”
That fatal blow back in Week 11 against the Dolphins sidelined Jackson with a broken leg and took the wind out of the sails of an already-deflating Buffalo team.
Jackson was in the running (bad pun not intended) for the rushing title, having amassed 934 yards to that point. He was averaging 5.5 yards per carry and had also tallied close to 450 yards in the air.
With Jackson out, 2010 first-round pick C.J. Spiller stepped in, averaging more than five yards per carry himself, including four touchdowns. Many projections have Jackson and Spiller seeing more even playing time this season after Spiller’s performance last year, but if Jackson comes out hot, it’s tough to see Gailey pulling him for Spiller.
Jackson’s return has been smooth thus far, and heading into their matchup with Washington on Thursday, Jackson seemed more than eager to get back into the action.
“I am looking forward to it (getting hit). This is what we do," Jackson said. "As a running back you have to like some kind of contact or you are playing the wrong position.”
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