Bengals’ top draft pick in 2016 was praised by observers in ’17 as one of Cincinnati’s top young players after outstanding first season of action ... Did not play in 2016 rookie season after suffering torn pectoral muscle early in training camp ... Thrust into action early in ’17, and consistent production earned him increased playing time as season progressed ... Played in 15 games with five starts, with only missed game coming Nov. 19 at Denver due to toe injury ... Saw action on 697 of 1146 possible snaps on defense (61 percent) ... Finished with 14 PDs, which tied for team lead ... His one INT — his career first — came on Sept. 24 at G.B., when he jumped an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for WR Jordy Nelson and returned it 75 yards for a TD; it was only the second pick-six of Rodgers’ career, and Jackson became just the 14th player in Bengals history to score on his first career INT (the first since DE Carlos Dunlap in 2012).
Career transactions: Selected by Cincinnati in first round of 2016 NFL Draft (24th overall) ... Signed with Bengals on 6-10-16.
2017 highlights: Played in 15 games with five starts ... Inactive Nov. 19 at Denver with a toe injury ... Started at RCB in Games 6 and 13-16, filling in for injured starter Adam Jones ... Totaled 25 tackles, including one sack ... Had 14 PDs, which tied for the team lead, and one INT ... The INT came on Sept. 24 at Green Bay, when Jackson stepped in front of a pass from Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and returned it 75 yards for a TD ... Recorded a third quarter sack of Titans QB Marcus Mariota on Nov. 12 at Tennessee ... Had a season-high five tackles (four solo) on Dec. 17 at Minnesota ... Had a season-high three PDs vs. Detroit on Dec. 24.
Previous seasons: 2016—Suffered torn pectoral muscle tendon in practice on Aug. 1 ... Placed on Reserved/Injured list on Sept. 4 ... Was eligible to return to roster late in the season, however Bengals opted instead to activate HB Cedric Peerman due to injuries in the backfield.
College: Played three seasons (2013-15) at Houston, after one season (2012) at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas) ... Houston career totals included eight INTs, 48 total PDs, 115 tackles, three FRs and two FFs ... Though he played only three seasons, his 40 career pass breakups rank third in UH history ... Helped lead ’15 Cougars to a 13-1 record, tied for best in school history, and to best national ranking (eighth) since 1979 ... His five INTs in ’15 included two returned for TDs ... His Defensive MVP performance in ’15 season Peach Bowl win over Florida State included two INTs, two additional pass breakups and a career-high 10 tackles.
Personal: Hometown is Houston, Texas ... Attended Wheatley High School, where he played both WR and DB ... Earned first-team All District honors at DB as a junior and senior, and added 35 receptions for 626 yards and 10 TDs over the two seasons ... Sociology major at Houston ... Hobbies include horseback riding.
