Can DeSean Jackson return in time to help save the Eagles' season?

When we last saw DeSean Jackson, he was limping off the field after taking a brutal hit on his lower leg while returning a punt against the Giants on Oct. 22.

But the Eagles might be seeing Jackson again, perhaps in time to save their season, if they have a chance to win the NFC East next Sunday against Washington.

The Eagles began a 21-day practice window for Jackson this week, who is currently on injured reserve. That means they can activate him off IR any time during that stretch, which would carry over into the first round of the playoffs, if the Eagles get that far.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Thursday that Jackson is "getting close," that he got some reps during practice Wednesday, and that the Eagles planned to "ramp him up" on Thursday.

"It's the first time he's been able to do any kind of football activity with the team, football maneuvers, running routes and blocking and things of that nature," Pederson said. "So we'll see how he is and see how he feels (Thursday), but we'll try to ramp him up and keep him coming."

Added fellow receiver Greg Ward: "(Jackson) looks good, man. He looks explosive."

Jackson has played in only four games this season and seven of 31 games since the Eagles traded for him before the 2019 season.

But for Jackson, who turned 34 earlier this month, to have an impact, the Eagles (4-9-1) need some help.

First, they have to beat the Cowboys (5-9) in Dallas, and the Carolina Panthers (4-10) have to beat Washington. If that happens, the Eagles will play Washington on Jan. 3 with a chance to win the division.

That is, as long as the Giants don't win both of their remaining games – against Baltimore on Sunday and Dallas on Jan. 3.

Just to add to the suspense, the NFL on Wednesday flexed the Washington-Carolina game from 1 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. That way, the Eagles won't know if they're eliminated or not before they take the field.

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They might do some scoreboard watching, however.

"You can’t worry about it too much because it can sidetrack you a little bit," defensive end Brandon Graham said about keeping tabs on Washington. "We gotta stay focused, play our game and worry about next game when it comes."

The Eagles, of course, are in this situation because of their own struggles. Yet they are experienced with having to win games to save their season. 

Last season, they were 5-7 heading into their final four games, all against division opponents. They won all four and took the NFC East with a 9-7 record before losing in the first round to Seattle.

In 2018, the Eagles were 4-6 before winning five of their last six to get a wildcard spot. The Eagles won their first playoff game against the Bears before losing the following week to New Orleans.

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"I think our guys respond well to adversity," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. "We've been faced with that the last couple of seasons. They don't dwell so much on kind of where we are, sort of that 'woe is me' mentality. They push forward and come closer together and find a way to figure it out down the stretch." 

This also isn't the first time the Eagles have had to make that run without Carson Wentz at quarterback.

In 2017, Wentz missed the last three games and the playoffs with a torn ACL as backup Nick Foles led the Eagles to the Super Bowl. In 2018, Wentz missed the last three games with a stress fracture in his back and again Foles led the playoff run.

But this season is different because Jalen Hurts, a rookie, with just two starts under his belt, is the quarterback. In addition, Wentz was replaced because of his performance, not because of injury.

Wentz was among the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this season in terms of completion percentage (57.4), interceptions (15) and passer rating (72.8).

Hurts' completion percentage is actually worse than Wentz's, at 55.1%. But he has thrown five touchdown passes against just one interception. Hurts has not thrown an interception in either of his two starts.

In addition, Hurts has run for 169 yards and passed for 505 yards in his two starts. Against the Cardinals, he passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for another. 

He has also developed a quick rapport with fellow rookie wide receiver Quez Watkins, the Eagles' sixth-round pick last spring. Watkins caught his first three NFL passes in Hurts' two starts. That included a 32-yard touchdown catch against the Cardinals, when Watkins caught a short pass, spun and raced down the sideline.

"When I caught the ball, I didn’t see nothing but red (Cardinals jerseys)," Watkins said. "I immediately stuck my foot in the ground and tried to get out and get positive yards. When I saw I had open grass, I used my speed, and I took it."

Watkins called Hurts "a natural born leader," and then added about his previous history: "We go back to before the Combine training. I didn’t know him at the time; he didn’t know me ... so we start working and got closer and closer."

That chemistry could continue to grow, even if Jackson returns before the end of the season. Just like it can grow with first-round pick Jalen Reagor and the other receivers.

"Along with (Watkins), we have a lot of speed on the field and a lot of great players," Hurts said. "I’m very excited to get the reps with everybody this week, and go out there and have fun on Sunday."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.