Avengers Place Chris Jackson on IR
Mike Chanpong
Monday March 1, 2004
Saturday, the Avengers announced that offensive specialist Chris Jackson was placed on the injured reserve list and will sit out Monday night’s game at the Staples Center against the Georgia Force.
Jackson, the 2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year, sprained his left knee on the opening kickoff of last week’s loss to San Jose, but still managed to finish the game, catching seven passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
“I didn’t know how serious it was when it happened,” Jackson said in a statement. “I played through it and wasn’t expecting to miss this week.”
With Jackson out, wide receiver/linebacker Joe Douglass will start. Douglass, who was acquired in a trade just before the season with the Colorado Crush, shouldn’t have any trouble picking up the slack. Last year he led the Crush with 79 receptions for 1,031 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“That’s kind of why they brought me in here, to be an insurance policy in case anything happens,” said Douglass of his role with the Avengers. “Of course, we don’t want anything to happen, but if something does, I’m supposed to step in and do the job.”
Last week, Douglass subbed for Jackson while he was receiving treatment for his knee and made the most of his playing time, finishing with eight catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani will definitely miss Chris Jackson, but said he feels comfortable throwing to Douglass.
“It’s tough because C.J.’s is our best player; he’s our money man. But Joe did a good job of stepping in (against San Jose), and it’s huge for us to know we have another guy who can come in and play C.J.’s position.”
Mike Chanpong is a freelance writer living in Hollywood, CA. In addition to
sportswriting, he also works in television production. This is his second
year covering the Los Angeles Avengers for ArenaFan.
