McVay: Rams looking for trade partner to take DeSean
LOS ANGELES » DeSean Jackson and the Los Angeles Rams are trying to find a trade partner for the veteran receiver, who is frustrated by his lack of playing time after just seven games with his hometown team.
Coach Sean McVay said Friday the Rams (6-1) are allowing Jackson, 34, to look for a new team. Jackson, who signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles, won’t play Sunday.
“We are allowing him to be able to look into some options for himself,” McVay said. “What it boils down to is, I think, opportunities that he’s deserving of, and some of the circumstances that surround it.”
Jackson has eight catches for 221 yards and one touchdown this season with the Rams. He has been targeted just 15 times, and he has played only 100 offensive snaps — just 22% of the Rams’ plays.
“This hasn’t exactly been probably what he envisioned,” said McVay, who coached Jackson earlier in their careers as Washington’s offensive coordinator.
The Rams signed Jackson to be the speedy deep threat their offense clearly needed last season, and he has filled that role when McVay puts him on the field. Jackson caught a 75-yard touchdown pass earlier this season, and three of his eight grabs have gone for at least 20 yards.
But Jackson has ceded most of his potential playing time to second-year pro Van Jefferson, who has stepped up with 21 catches for 304 yards and three touchdowns while playing 74% of the Rams’ snaps.
Jackson got just four snaps in the Rams’ win over Detroit last week, while Jefferson got 61. Jackson also got on the field as a punt returner, but the veteran clearly still wants to be a contributing receiver.
Bears to play without Mack
LAKE FOREST, ILL. » Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is off to one of the best starts of his career. Now his season is on hold after the Bears ruled their top pass rusher out for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field.
A foot injury has plagued Mack since early in the season and the Bears will rest him in hopes of healing it. Coach Matt Nagy said no decision has been made on putting Mack on injured reserve, which leaves open the possibility he could play Nov. 8 at Pittsburgh.
Mack has a team-high six sacks, but went without one and had just one tackle in last week’s 38-3 loss to Tampa Bay. He had sacks in five straight previous games.
Browns’ Mayfield starting
BEREA, OHIO » Baker Mayfield’s back in the saddle — and huddle.
The Browns’ quarterback will start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning after missing one game because of an injured left shoulder that will require management for the rest of this season.
Mayfield, who has a torn labrum and fracture in his non-throwing shoulder, practiced for the third straight day on Friday. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced afterward that the 26-year-old will be back in the lineup.
“Medically, he’s ready to go,” Stefanski said.