The Buffalo Bills may head into training camp without one of their top draft picks.
Rookie defensive end Landon Jackson has been placed on the NFL’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to the league’s transaction wire. Jackson was drafted in the third round (72nd overall) out of Arkansas.
While the nature of Jackson’s injury is unknown, players may return from the PUP list at any point during training camp.
There seems to be some optimism that he won’t be out long, though nothing is set in stone. Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com provided more context into Jackson’s status on Wednesday, reporting via a league source that the Bills are “hopeful he’ll be ready for the start of practice next week.”
Landon Jackson Has Fully Participated in Offseason Program
Bills rookies reported to training camp on Tuesday, which could explain the timing of the move. Veterans are expected to report on July 22.
Players placed on the PUP list count toward the team’s 90-man roster but can be removed from the list at any time during training camp. Any player who remains on the list at the start of the regular season is required to miss the first four games.
Notably, the 6-foot-6, 264-pound Jackson has been a full participant throughout the offseason program.
Landon Jackson Has Lengthy Injury History
Leading up to the draft, Jackson was widely viewed as an intriguing yet flawed prospect.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein labeled Jackson a second-round pick in his pre-draft scouting report, calling him a “high-energy edge prospect with projectible traits but unorthodox movements and body control that might create a lack of conviction when it’s time to stamp a grade.”
Jackson had 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024 but left his final game with Arkansas on a stretcher because of a neck injury. He opted out of the Liberty Bowl against Texas Tech.
His injury history also includes two ACL tears. He tore his left ACL in high school and then re-injured the same knee in 2021 as a freshman at LSU. The following offseason, he transferred to Arkansas.
An anonymous NFC scout told NFL.com that Jackson has “a chance to become a good starter, but it won’t happen early on.”
“He’s tough, but I don’t see enough contact balance to play down in an odd front. Let him be a big even-front base end,” the scout added.
