Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Jackson has been dealing with a thumb injury that limited him in practice this week and hindered him in last week’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
The 31-year-old Jackson received a second opinion on the thumb earlier this week, visiting a special in New York. He wore a brace on his thumb Wednesday and Thursday before the team announced he would be unable to go against Carolina.
During practice a week ago, Jackson also sported a brace on his left hand but wound up playing 36 snaps and finished with three catches for 19 yards against the 49ers.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection has found the end zone only once over the last nine games after scoring twice in the opening two weeks of the season.
The injury to Jackson will provide more opportunities for Adam Humphries and Chris Godwin opposite No. 1 wideout Mike Evans in Sunday’s matchup.
Jackson has 40 receptions for 750 yards with four touchdowns in 11 games this season with the Buccaneers. His 18.8 yards per catch is tied for second-best in the league.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Jackson has 588 receptions for 10,237 yards and 53 touchdowns in 152 career contests with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Buccaneers. He was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.