Donte Jackson breaks down his 2023 goals as he returns to the field for Panthers

Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson has big plans for his 2023 comeback season after making his recovery from a torn Achilles. He’s ready to put his head down and get to work now that he’s eight months removed from injury.

“Just do everything I can to help the team win,” Jackson told reporters this week of his goals. “I feel like we’re in a great position.

“The vibes are immaculate, throughout OTAs, you know, guys are just giving it their all. Guys are fighting. My expectation is to go out there and do my job at a very high level and just help my team win.”

The Carolina Panthers missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season last year but went 5-3 over the final eight games. Jackson had to miss eight games last season after tearing his Achilles. He began running again a few weeks ago.

“I’m feeling great… Feeling strong,” Jackson said. “Just using all this time that I have up until training camp to get more and more ready. Just diving in the system and having my rehab.”

A second-round pick out of LSU in 2018, Donte Jackson has been a starter with the Panthers ever since. He has recorded 244 tackles, 14 interceptions and 41 passes defended in the five seasons since.

Panthers vet Donte Jackson shouts out Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Coming out of OTAs and mini-camp, Jackson shared which of his Panthers teammates stood out the most.

“Definitely expected this guy to show up ready to go, but Stantley,” Jackson said. “Stantley Thomas-Oliver, he’s been great. They’re moving him around a lot in the secondary, letting him see different positions, play different positions.”

Thomas-Oliver has struggled to stay healthy in two of his three NFL seasons to date. He landed on the injured reserve during both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

The Panthers player has shown some potential, though, even in relatively limited action. The numbers aren’t necessarily anything to write home about — 17 tackles in three seasons, over 25 games played — but veterans like Jackson have been singing his praises this offseason.

“He’s always been a smart player, a very detailed player,” Jackson said. “And he’s really showing up for the defense in huge ways this OTAs. Again with (Jeremy) Chinn, again with Vonn (Bell), those guys just coming in attacking their role. It’s just been great for the group.”

On3 staff contributed to this report.