Vikings counting on Lucky Jackson, still seeking first NFL catch after WKU college career ended in 2019

Lucky Jackson is an incredible name.

And the Minnesota Vikings might be counting on him this season.

First off, the name: He's Dontavion Jackson, but he's gone by Lucky for a long time.

OK, now the importance to the Vikings: Minnesota's WR4 job is more important than most teams.

That's because early in the season, the Vikings will likely be without Jordan Addison due to suspension. That would make WR4 into WR3.

Minnesota plays three-wide a lot, so whoever gets that gig will matter in the early going for an NFC contender.

How does Jackson play in? He's been one of the most impressive players at Vikings training camp.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert calls him an "early standout."

Jackson has played in three NFL regular season games, all in 2023 with the Vikings. He saw a total of three offensive snaps and 32 special teams snaps across those three games.

His journey has already been quite remarkable. His last college season was 2019, at Western Kentucky, when he had 94 catches for 1,133 yards.

In 2021, he played in The Spring League.

In 2022, he played one game for the Edmonton Elks in the CFL.

In 2023, he played in the XFL, which finally got him his first NFL contract.

Jackson has been up and down with the Vikings since then.

Now, he has a real chance, maybe his best chance yet to get NFL action as a wide receiver. It'll be up to Jackson to seize the moment this preseason and prove he belongs.