Earlier this week, NBC10’s John Clark reported that it was “more likely DeSean Jackson returns for [the Week 7] Cowboys game or later than this Sunday at [the] Vikings.” Now ESPN’s Tim McManus is providing some more information on the speedy wide receiver’s status as he recovers from an abdomen injury:

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings but is hoping to play the following week against the Dallas Cowboys, according to league sources. Jackson is targeting a return Week 7 against Dallas but that’s not a slam dunk. The current return window is believed to be between Week 7 and Week 9 against the Chicago Bears as he continues to heal from an abdominal strain suffered Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Eagles could really use Jackson back ASAP. Carson Wentz hasn’t completed a pass to a wide receiver for more than 20 yards since Week 2. This offense needs the deep threat that Jackson was supposed to provided.

Getting Jackson back for such an important game against the Cowboys would be ideal. But one must wonder how effective he’ll even be once he’s able to play. Another note from McManus:

The original hope was that Jackson would be out two weeks, but upon further consultation he opted to allow the injury to heal longer. Even so, there’s an expectation that he’ll have to play through pain when he does return.

Doug Pederson said the Eagles are “going to try to at least progress [Jackson] this week, try to get him on the field and see what he can do from a rehab standpoint only, see where he’s at and go from there.” The team will hope that Jackson responds well to the increased activity.

In the meantime, the Eagles will have to move forward with Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside at receiver. It’s not a great group right now. Jeffery still looks hampered by his calf injury to some extent. Agholor has been an abject disaster. Hollins is a backup playing in a bigger role he’s not ideally suited for. Arcega-Whiteside hasn’t looked ready to contribute at the NFL level.

Get well soon, DeSean.