Here’s a paraphrased version of the article in about 400 words:
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be losing confidence in ’s ability to make a full comeback and establish himself as a reliable starter alongside Nick Bosa. Jackson suffered a serious knee injury, tearing his patellar tendon, which sidelined him for half of the 2023 season and all of 2024. Unfortunately, his recovery has been slower than expected, and according to general manager John Lynch, his knee has yet to heal completely.
Lynch acknowledged the severity of Jackson’s injury, referencing former 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey, who underwent a similar procedure. He explained that repairing a torn quad tendon isn’t a quick fix, and even after surgery, lingering issues can persist.
“That’s been a really difficult injury,” Lynch said. “We saw that with Mike McGlinchey. Those quad tendon repairs require serious consideration before opting for surgery because they don’t just make the problem disappear. Even now, McGlinchey likely still plays through pain.”
While Jackson hasn’t suffered any major setbacks in his rehabilitation, Lynch admitted that his recovery has been challenging. “It hasn’t been the most promising situation,” he added. “We’re hoping for a positive turn because when Drake is fully healthy, he’s a highly effective player. We’re staying optimistic, putting in the work, and so is he.”
The 49ers selected Jackson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him their top pick that year after trading their first-round selection for quarterback Trey Lance. However, in 23 career games, Jackson has recorded six sacks but has yet to start a game.
With uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s future, the 49ers are likely to prioritize drafting a defensive end in the early rounds of the upcoming draft. If they use their first-round pick on the position, potential targets include Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Georgia’s Mykel Williams.
Jackson’s injury struggles have made it difficult for the team to count on him as a long-term solution on the defensive line. As a result, San Francisco may look to bolster its pass rush by adding another young edge rusher to pair with Bosa. While Jackson still has potential, his uncertain recovery timeline has prompted the team to explore alternative options moving forward.
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