49ers' Drake Jackson gets applause from Cowboys' Micah Parsons after 3-sack game vs. Steelers

Drake Jackson enjoyed three sacks in the 49ers' season opener against the Steelers, which prompted Cowboys star Micah Parsons to react.

Going into the San Francisco 49ers' 2023 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if you knew that one Niners player would record three sacks in the game, you'd probably guess it was the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa.

Not second-year pro Drake Jackson, the edge rusher who was inactive for much of San Francisco's final regular-season stretch run a season ago.

Bosa had a fine game in the 49ers' 30-7 victory even if he failed to record a sack.

Jackson, though, did record a sack. Three times, to be precise.

It's about as good a first game for a player who had to wholly redo his workout regimen to get into better shape during the offseason. And while it appeared those efforts were paying off back in training camp, the real proof certainly came in Week 1 at Pittsburgh.

Yet it wasn't just Niners and Steelers fans who noticed Jackson's efforts.

Cowboys star Micah Parsons shouts out 49ers edge Drake Jackson after Week 1

San Francisco walloped Pittsburgh in Week 1. A short while later, the Dallas Cowboys demolished the New York Giants by a score of 40-0.

On the winning end of that game was All-Pro edge Micah Parsons, the lone player who challenged Bosa last season for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Parsons, of course, is well aware of the talent the 49ers have. But, on his new podcast called The Edge with Micah Parsons, the two-time Pro Bowler gave attention to Jackson after his three-sack performance.

Related story: 5 refreshing takeaways from 49ers' one-sided win over Steelers

"A guy that no one is talking about is Drake Jackson," Parsons pointed out. "He had three sacks. Why is no one talking about Drake Jackson? When we talk about pass-rushers, it's always good to talk about me and all the other prolific guys."

Jackson, interestingly enough, just doubled his career sack totals in one game this season after posting three his rookie year.

However, on a team with players like Bosa and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, it might be easy for someone like Jackson to fly under the radar.

Parsons thinks so.

"Don't let these guys get thrown under that sunlight because he's surrounded by guys like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and guys like that because they're loaded with such a great team," Parsons continued. "I think he's a person I'm going to have to look out for."

While it might be nearly impossible for Jackson to continue at that torrid pace, having him be the perfect complementary bookend to Bosa is precisely what San Francisco wants in an edge-rushing duo.

Week 1 showed that it can be the case.

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