DeSean Jackson. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles to get pregame boost from retired Pro Bowl WR vs. 49ers

Former Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson is retiring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and will serve as the team's honorary captain for their Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Jackson hinted at the news on social media on Tuesday before the official announcement was made Wednesday.

Eagles longtime chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie was over a decade into his run with the franchise when they selected the wideout in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Lurie was among the first to comment on Jackson's retirement on Wednesday.

The University of California product will turn 37 on Friday, two days ahead of Philadelphia's huge showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson last played during the 2022 season, recording just nine receptions for 153 scoreless yards across seven games with the Baltimore Ravens before being released by the club in January.

He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Eagles from 2008-13, making all three of his Pro Bowls. He played eight more games with the club between 2019-20. Jackson ended his Philadelphia career with 379 catches for 6,512 receiving yards and 35 of his 58 touchdowns in 95 regular season games and added 58 carries for 385 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Jackson was also a dynamic punt returner, racking up 1,296 yards and four touchdowns on 132 returns.

At the time of his retirement, he was first among active players in yards per reception across his career (17.6) and third in receiving yards (11,263).

Jackson said in July that he hadn't yet retired, but when the time came, he was hoping to do so with the Eagles.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mavericks come from behind to down Thunder, take 2-1 series lead
Stars continue road dominance with Game 3 win over Avalanche
Watch: Paul Skenes wastes no time showing why Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall
Watch: Braves were one out away from first no-hitter in 30 years
Roman Wilson hopes to become Steelers' next 'great' WR
Chargers sign veteran edge-rusher
Justin Allgaier dominates at Darlington for first win of 2024
'Great mind': One-time NBA champion endorses candidate for Lakers HC job
Celtics respond with impressive road win vs. Cavaliers in Game 3
Hurricanes' power play finally comes through with season on the line
Watch: An outstanding first half by Donovan Mitchell keeps the Cavaliers alive in Game 3 vs. Celtics
Tigers lose veteran starting pitcher to injury
Watch: Minor league baseball game interrupted by turtle delay
Paul Skenes experiences the Pirates' incompetence in just one game
Rangers ace continues to be plagued by nerve irritation in thumb
Cowboys hint at timeline for extension talks with offensive star
Steelers first-round pick has already 'apologized' to new locker mate
Former Packers WR makes bold prediction about Jordan Love
Broncos release former Super Bowl champion WR
Nationals had 'substantive discussions' with former top prospect about extension

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.