Vincent Jackson has knee injury, is being evaluated

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are evaluating Vincent Jackson for a knee injury he suffered against the Carolina Panthers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The wide receiver missed parts of last season with repeated knee injuries as well.

Jackson hasn’t been much of a factor this season, catching just 15 passes for 173 yards and no touchdowns in five games. He’s on track to post his worst per-game performance since his sophomore season a decade ago. Part of that is a result of his own decline, though part of it is also a failure to get on the same page as Jameis Winston.

All of this foreshadows a likely offseason departure for Jackson, who’s in the final year of his contract. The Bucs may well target a receiver high in the 2017 NFL draft to start opposite Mike Evans, who’s on track to have the best year of his young career.

If Jackson can’t play on Sunday, expect Cecil Shorts to replace him. The veteran receiver is just returning from injury and should be ready to go on Sunday.