49ers' recent top pick sees season come to disappointing end

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday that defensive end Drake Jackson was not healthy enough to be activated from injured reserve.

That assessment was proven to be a huge understatement after the second-year edge rusher posted a picture to Instagram indicating he has undergone knee surgery.

Jackson, the 49ers' top pick in the 2022 draft in the second round, has not played since San Francisco's Week 8 game with the Cincinnati Bengals because of a knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve on November 11.

Asked about the possibility of Jackson returning during the postseason, Shanahan said: "I don’t think he’s healthy enough to come off yet. I don’t think that’s an option right now."

Jackson made it clear he is not an option by posting an image of his leg in a brace and heavily strapped with the caption: "I'll be back [with] a vengeance!"

So a season that started in such a promising fashion is now over, and Jackson will be a spectator for the remainder of the 49ers' Super Bowl push, which will resume during next weekend's Divisional Round.

Jackson had three sacks during the 49ers' season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, pointing to a breakout year that many had predicted. 

However, Jackson failed to register a sack across the next seven games, his lack of impact leading the Niners to trade for Randy Gregory and then, during the Week 9 bye, Chase Young.

As such, even with Clelin Ferrell set to miss at least one playoff game, Jackson's absence probably won't be keenly felt in the playoffs. 

Yet, with Ferrell, Young and Gregory all set for free agency, Jackson's lack of progress in year two is an issue for a 49ers team that will be severely short of edge depth behind Nick Bosa of none of that trio are re-signed.

The first two seasons of Jackson's career have not brought the desired results. With possible departures meaning another potential shot at extended playing time in 2024, year three could well be a make-or-break campaign.