SANTA CLARA – DeSean Jackson leads the Philadelphia Eagles in receptions and yardage, and the rookie out of Cal returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown Sunday against the Washington Redskins.
But perhaps his greatest achievement through five games has been getting the nation's most unforgiving sports town to lighten up a little. During a nationally televised game in Dallas in Week 2, Jackson had a step on the Cowboys' defensive backs, caught a long Donovan McNabb pass in stride but then flipped the ball back just before crossing the goal line. It was a blooper of monster proportions and one capable of earning the wrath of an entire city.
"They were tough on him," coach Andy Reid said Wednesday, "but they were tough on him until he scored the next touchdown and then they let up a little bit. You have to go out and prove yourself again and make sure that's not who you are."
It didn't take Jackson long to make amends.
Two weeks later, he actually made it across the goal line with the ball in a game against Chicago, and on Sunday his punt return, in which he outsprinted the Washington coverage across the field and down the sideline, gave Philadelphia a 14-0 lead.
Jackson also has been sharp in the meeting room.
He had Jerry Rice as a mentor heading into the draft, and Reid said he was impressed with Jackson's knowledge of the West Coast offense upon arriving in Philadelphia.
And with starting receivers Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown injured to start the season, Jackson had to apply that knowledge quickly.
"I kind of came in with an open mind-set," Jackson said. "Whatever they needed me to do here, whatever role I needed to play, that's what I was going to do."
Et cetera – Offensive tackle Jonas Jennings (shoulder) and linebacker Manny Lawson (hamstring) sat out 49ers practice Wednesday, but they have not been ruled out for Sunday. Jennings is coming back from a dislocated shoulder suffered in Week 2. On Monday, Lawson estimated his left hamstring was 80 percent back to normal. "I tried to go Sunday and I felt it flinch on me," he said.
• Cornerback Walt Harris and running back Frank Gore had their usual Wednesday off. Safety Michael Lewis (elbow) did not practice but is expecting to play against his former team.
• Reid said the Eagles would take a wait-and-see approach on Curtis, the team's leading receiver last season. Curtis (sports hernia) is practicing this week but has yet to play this season.
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/ ninersblog.
