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D’Qwell Jackson Remains a ‘Tackling Machine’ for Colts

By Luke Schultheis

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The NFL’s leading tackler will be playing on Monday Night Football except it’s not Carolina Panthers All-Pro inside linebacker Luke Kuechly after all.

That’s right, Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson currently leads the league with 79 total combined tackles on the season. That’s 10 more tackles than San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Navorro Bowman, who’s in 2nd place.

Just behind the Cleveland Browns Karlos Dansby (33) and Baltimore Ravens Daryl Smith (33), Jackson at 32 years old is one of the oldest inside linebackers still active in the NFL. However, despite his advanced football age, Jackson has still shown quite a knack for finding the football:

"“He’s playing really well,” said head coach Chuck Pagano Wednesday on Jackson’s performance this season. “Preparing well, and he’s playing well.”“At his age and years in the league, his body is holding up and he feels really good,” added Pagano."

With the help of the Colts coaching staff, the 10-year veteran’s snaps have been limited during each week of practice, so that’s he’s fully rested and ready to go on Sundays:

"“His coaches are doing a great job of managing his reps during the week,” said Pagano. “We give him a rest day as everyone knows. I think it’s carrying over to gameday. Even though he’s played a bunch of snaps to this point, he’s playing at a high level.”"

However, his production this season can also be attested to his hard work and preparation throughout the course of the week, even if he’s not always practicing full-time.

After all, there’s a reason why Jackson remains one of the veteran leaders of this Colts defense:

"“He prepares at a high level, and when you prepare the way he prepares, obviously it’s no surprise to any of us that you play well on gameday,” concluded Pagano."

While Jackson has been much maligned for his coverage ability, it’s hard not to argue that the returning Pro Bowler remains a “tackling machine” for the Colts with his still highly regarded football instincts:

That doesn’t mean he’s the most complete linebacker, but at 32 years old, Jackson is still playing at a fairly high football level all things considered–especially when it comes to finding and taking down the ball carrier.

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