Former Iowa CB Josh Jackson makes more preseason noise with pick-six

Hawk Central

Green Bay Packers' Josh Jackson intercepts a pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers' Damoun Patterson and returns it for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.

Josh Jackson was solid in last week’s pro debut. This week, he took it a step further.

The former Iowa cornerback snagged his first — well, unofficial — professional interception Thursday and took it the distance, cementing Green Bay’s 51-34 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early in the third quarter, Jackson stepped in front of a Josh Dobbs pass along the sideline, stayed in-bounds and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. It capped off a strong night for Jackson, who the Packers selected as their No. 45 overall pick in April.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t step out of bounds,” Jackson told Packers.com. “I was trying to score. It was my mama’s birthday, so I told her I was going to get one for her.”

Along with the pick-six, Jackson had one tackle and a pass breakup Thursday. He's gotten extended time in Green Bay’s secondary early in the preseason and has drawn high praise.

Here are some reactions from Thursday night.

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.