Donte Jackson updates his progress in return from torn Achilles

Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson is nearing a return to action after missing eight games last season due to a torn Achilles. Jackson didn’t participate in the team’s minicamp this past week as he continues to heal, but still made an appearance in front of media to update his progress.

The cornerback told reporters he is “feeling great” and started running again a little more than a month ago. As the team gears up for the 2023 season, the expectation is he’ll be back and ready to return to his role in the secondary.

“I’m feeling great,” Jackson said. “About seven months and some change out. It’ll be eight months next week. But I’m feeling great. Was back running at like five-and-a-half, six months. Feeling strong. 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.

Carolina coach Frank Reich confirmed last week that Jackson should be ready to return to action by the time training camp begins next month. However, the cornerback isn’t going to rush things and said he’ll follow the plan the team’s trainers have laid out for him.

“That’s still to be determined, but I’m feeling great,” he said. “It’s all about what the training room says. I’ve been going with their plan. Trusting them to help me throughout this and they’ve been great. Whatever they have ready for me, I know I’ll be ready come camp.”

When Jackson returns, he’ll likely resume his starting role at cornerback alongside Jaycee Horn. The pair should help hold down a defense that returns plenty of key pieces including linebacker Shaq Thompson, edge rusher Brian Burns and safety Xavier Woods.

Carolina missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season in 2022, but went 5-3 over the final eight games. With a new coach in Reich, new quarterback in Bryce Young and the return of Jackson, there is hope they can build on that finish heading into this season.

The Panthers are set to begin training camp July 26 and will wrap things up on Aug. 10. After that, they open preseason play on Aug. 12 against the New York Jets.