Donte Jackson on his torn Achilles recovery: 'I'm still the fastest on the team'
Donte Jackson's career could have ended last November. The Carolina Panthers' cornerback tore his Achilles, and it was an injury that threatened everything for Jackson. Yet, somewhat miraculously, Jackson is expected to be ready to go once the regular season starts, capping off a nine-month sprint to get back to the player he was before the […]
Donte Jackson's career could have ended last November.
The Carolina Panthers' cornerback tore his Achilles, and it was an injury that threatened everything for Jackson. Yet, somewhat miraculously, Jackson is expected to be ready to go once the regular season starts, capping off a nine-month sprint to get back to the player he was before the injury. And recently, Jackson pulled back the curtain on the process it took for him to get back to playing football.
“I spent a lot of time during this process thinking, ‘man, am I ever going to feel the same? Am I ever going to have the same ability?’” Jackson said. "Just being back out here and feeling back to normal and moving around, it’s such a blessing.”
Jackson was the Panthers' top corner at the time of his injury. And part of that has to do with the speed he played with. But if anyone is worried about Jackson being a step slow following the injury, he assured everyone that isn't an issue to worry about.
“I'm still the fastest on the team,” Jackson said.
As for the hardest element of returning, Jackson said it had nothing to do with what happens in rehab or on the field, instead, it has everything to do with the mental aspect of injury rehabilitation.
“The hardest part is just getting your mental back," Jackson said. “Just gaining my confidence and knowing I will be able to go cover the opponent’s No. 1 (wide receiver) again.”
Though Jackson is expected to be ready to go, Panthers head coach Frank Reich is attempting to ease him back into the everyday mix.
The saying goes it really takes two years to recover from a torn Achilles. Well, as it turns out, for Jackson, all it takes is nine months. But don't get it twisted, Jackson hasn't lost a step at all.
“I see speed, I see body quickness, foot quickness, instinct and savvy,” Reich said. “Just getting to know him, I'm excited. He's got that way about him and confidence to him.”
And that is good news for a Panthers team full of expectations.
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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
