Free-agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson wants to continue playing and doesn't intend to retire at this time, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Jackson played just five games last season before the Bucs placed him on injured reserve with a knee injury. The 12-year veteran did not, however, tear his ACL or have surgery on the ligament, the source said. Jackson's injury was an MCL sprain, a source told ESPN's Adam Caplan.
Jackson, who turned 34 in January, saw a noticeable decline in his play for the Bucs in 2016, the final year of his five-year, $55.55 million contract. He appeared a step or two slower and wasn't making the difficult, leaping catches that fans had grown accustomed to seeing. He caught 15 passes for 173 yards.
In 2015, Jackson caught 33 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
Before that, Jackson had three straight 1,000-yard seasons in Tampa, including a career-best 1,384 yards in 2012. He was one of the most dependable players during a turbulent period for the Bucs that included three head coaches, two general managers and four starting quarterbacks.
Jackson was a mentor to Mike Evans, who has now assumed the No. 1 receiver role for Tampa Bay.
Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, spent his first seven seasons with the Chargers. He has 540 career receptions for 9,080 yards -- which ranks 11th among all active players -- and 57 touchdowns.
ESPN's Jenna Laine contributed to this report.