Steelers CB Donte Jackson provides health update, funny interaction with refs after blatant missed holding call
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Donte Jackson provided a health update after practice Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for this weekend’s pivotal AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The former Carolina Panther has provided a significant upgrade at the cornerback position since coming on board via trade for wide receiver Dionate Johnson in March.
The 29-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 28-27 win in Washington and had to leave the game before it was over. He didn’t participate in practice Wednesday. However, Jackson still seems optimistic about playing against the Ravens.
“It’s been good. Just being smart this week — not trying to really do too much,” Jackson said of the potential of suiting up. “The MRI showed nothing major. Just a little bit of the workload, probably. Just getting into motion, getting ready to play on Sunday. We’ve got a good plan with this training room.”
Jackson said that his injury wasn’t the result of one sudden bad play in Washington. Rather, it was a nagging issue throughout the game.
“It was an accumulation of plays. I was feeling something up in the high hammy,” Jackson explained. “I went to get it checked out, and they just thought it would be best that I don’t go out there and hurt it anymore. I think we only had a drive or two left in the game. I didn’t want to go out there and do anything more damaging.”
Prior to exiting the game, Jackson was the victim of one of the more egregious non-calls you’ll ever see. He was blatantly held on a field-goal-block attempt by Commanders’ tight end John Bates as Zane Gonzalez hit a 41-yard kick.
How did this hold get missed? Should have forced longer FG attempt. The official is staring right at it. pic.twitter.com/tDQGYfkzTu
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 10, 2024
If you were mad about the non-call at the time, wait until you hear Jackson describe what he heard from the official, Brad Rogers.
“Me and Minkah (Fitzpatrick) heard him. (Rogers) told (Bates), ‘Hey! Stop holding!’ He literally said those exact words. It was crazy,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“He kind of let (Bates) know, ‘Hey, Bro, I saw you holding. Don’t hold anymore.’ I think that was the craziest part about it.”
I get it. You’ll see and hear that occasionally from officials in hockey or basketball if a player is borderline hooking, holding, grabbing or riding an opponent too long or with too much contact while a play is ongoing.
You might even get that on the edge with a tackle and a pass rusher while a play is going on, or a referee might get in a player’s ear and warn a blocker in between plays if it was a 50-50 call. But that play against Jackson was obvious and needed a flag — not a warning mid-play and after the ball was kicked.
The usually affable Jackson took a diplomatic stance.
“Things happen out there,” Jackson said through a grin. “I think there was a lot worse stuff that was missed or that wasn’t called throughout the game. They’re human too. They’re not going to get everything. I just keep it moving and going to the next play.”
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As far as Sunday goes, if Jackson can play, he might find himself covering Diontae Johnson on occasion. The Ravens wide receiver was just recently acquired from Carolina via trade.
Over two games since arriving in Baltimore, though, Johnson has played only 22 snaps. He caught just one ball for 6 yards on two targets.
Despite those numbers, Jackson wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson sees an uptick in activity this week from the Ravens coaches.
“He’s a very talented player, so I’m sure there’s a way for them to get him integrated into the game,” Jackson said. “They will have 10 days off (since their Thursday night win over Cincinnati) to work on it. Anytime you get a great player on your team, you’re going to find ways to use them. So I’m sure they will, but I don’t know how.”
Baltimore currently has the No. 1 offense in the NFL when it comes to points per game (31.8) and total yards per game (440). The Ravens’ passing attack is third in the league at 257.6 yards per game.