ASHBURN — Jackson Jeffcoat is a man of faith.
As the Washington Redskins approached Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to finalize the 53-man roster, he hoped he would be part of the team as they began preparations for their Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The second-year linebacker had his prayers answered, thanks to a strong preseason in which Jeffcoat tallied four sacks — one in each game.
Once Saturday’s deadline passed, Jeffcoat allowed the rush of emotions to wash over him, if only for a brief moment.
“I thanked the Lord, told my parents and they were excited, and celebrated for a second,” Jeffcoat said. “Then it was back to work again. Just because I made the 53 doesn’t mean I’ll stay on the 53. I have to prove myself day in and day out.”
Like fellow teammates that were on the fringe and made Saturday’s cut, Jeffcoat understands nothing is certain.
In some cases, proving yourself still isn’t enough to ensure a roster spot. The NFL can be a cruel, humbling business, as cornerback Deshazor Everett experienced firsthand on Monday.
Everett was a long shot to make the Redskins’ roster, yet there he was on Sunday, standing in front of his locker at Redskins Park, talking about how proud he was to make the team.
The former Texas A&M corner was a late addition to the Redskins, signing Aug. 1. With DeAngelo Hall and Bashaud Breeland out, there was an opportunity for Everett to showcase his skills and endear himself to the coaching staff. He ultimately did enough to make the team Saturday and practiced Sunday.
On Monday, Everett’s services were no longer needed. The Redskins, desperately in need of depth at the tight end position, released Everett to make room to sign Anthony McCoy.
Jeffcoat knows how quickly his NFL fortune can change.
After signing with the Seattle Seahawks last season as an undrafted free agent, he was released in August and signed with the Redskins’ practice squad.
He was promoted to the active roster Oct. 7, only to be waived and signed back to the practice squad in November. He played in a total of three games last season.
How was it possible that Jackson, an All-American at Texas who was honored with the Tim Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end, could not hold his place on an active roster?
This preseason, he was determined not to let another opportunity to make a 53-man roster pass by.
“I was just happy about the fact that I put good tape out there,” Jeffcoat said. “I knew that if I didn’t come here, 31 other teams were watching that tape and I would be able to go somewhere. I left it all out on the field and prayed about it, and I’m here.”
With each sack Jeffcoat piled up in the preseason, he felt better about his chances to make the team and was thankful once he did.
Now, Jeffcoat is focused on making sure he sticks.
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