- The Washington Times - Wednesday, September 16, 2015

ASHBURN — When Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson felt the pop in his left hamstring on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, he wasn’t sure what exactly to expect, but he knew it wasn’t good.

“I was definitely worries because I never felt that before,” Jackson said on Wednesday. “I’ve never been a hamstring guy, had hamstring problems, so it’s new to me. Feeling an injury like this pop and things like this, it’s new but I’ll do everything to get back right.”

Jackson sustained a slight tear in his hamstring and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

The Redskins receiver hopes he’s back before that, but he knows the dangers of rushing a hamstring injury.

“It’s going to be a week-to-week thing and hopefully it’ll get better as soon as possible,” Jackson said. “I got some treatment the first couple days that helped the process speed up.”

Jackson missed the entire preseason after spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder on Aug. 6. He was able to run during the preseason, and on Monday, coach Jay Gruden said he didn’t know if not playing contributed to the injury.

On Wednesday, Jackson wasn’t so quick to rule that out.

“It probably had a little to do with it, just the heavy load as far as getting the reps and being able to be out there and run around to get my legs back in shape,” Jackson said.

“In the time I was given, I thought I did a good job of that, and it was just an awkward situation in the game, when I was running around [Miami cornerback Brent] Grimes and he reached for me and I tried to reach out of it and it just grabbed on me.”

Replacing Jackson in the Redskins’ offense will not be an easy task. With Pierre Garcon occupying the other wide receiver spot, the Redskins will turn to receivers Andre Roberts, Ryan Grant, rookie Jamison Crowder and Rashad Ross on Jackson’s side of the field.

Ross is the player most likely to provide the Redskins with a deep option based upon his speed, which has been heralded through training camp and the preseason.

In the preseason, Ross led the league with 25 catches and 266 yards and four touchdowns.

Is Ross faster than Jackson?

“He’s like my little brother, he’s not ready to crown that yet,” Jackson said. “He’s still got a couple of years. He’s got some speed on him.

“He’s a young guy but he has a lot of talent. Just got to continue to do what he’s been doing all offseason, all preseason. When your number’s called, just making a play and sparking the team with some energy that guys of our stature can do. Guys that can make big plays down the field, that brings energy to the team. As long as he can do that he’ll be all right.”

• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.

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