KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -The Seattle Seahawks traded Darrell Jackson, their leading wide receiver, to San Francisco on Sunday for a fourth-round draft choice, No. 124 overall.
Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdown receptions late last season before he sustained a turf toe injury and missed three games. He became expendable when Seattle acquired Deion Branch from New England last September, then signed the former Super Bowl MVP to a $39 million contract.
The fact Seattle traded Jackson to a rising rival inside the NFC West, and for only a fourth-round pick, shows how much the Seahawks wanted their relationship with their seven-year veteran to end.
They began exploring a trade months ago, but general manager Tim Ruskell said the 49ers’ interest didn’t intensify until just before the draft. Jackson then flew from his home in Florida to 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., for a physical.
Jackson missed 10 games in 2005 following knee surgery before the turf toe sidelined him again last season.
“It just kind of sprang up,” Ruskell said of the deal.
Jackson caught 63 passes for 963 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns last season.
Several 49ers have prior experience with Jackson. Backup quarterback Trent Dilfer threw passes to Jackson while both were in Seattle, and personnel chief Scot McCloughan previously was a Seahawks executive.
Jackson, who was under a Seahawks contract through the 2009 season, is due to make $3.25 million in base salary this season.
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