Jackson's rehabilitation moving without a snag

Chad Jackson's rehabilitation from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the Patriots' AFC Championship game loss to the Indianapolis Colts is going well enough that he could be ready for the start of the season.

Jackson, who injured his knee playing special teams late in New England's 38-34 loss, could still be ticketed for the physically-unable-to-perform list when training camp opens July 27. However, his agents, David Canter and Christina Phillips, said it would be a mistake to write off the second-year receiver and assume he is headed to injured reserve.

"I don't expect Chad to be 100 percent in one month, out there running routes at full speed or to be practicing at full speed," said Canter. "But if it's, 'Could he be ready to do that by the start of the season?' then sure."

Jackson, who had surgery in January, is already sprinting.

"He's progressed extremely well physically," said Phillips. "He wants to be 100 percent and the Patriots' doctors will know when that is. His rehab has gone extremely well."

Judging by their offseason activity, Jackson is not a big part of the Patriots' 2007 plans. He struggled through an injury-riddled rookie season in which his inconsistency overshadowed his tantalizing raw ability. Jackson finished with 13 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. He didn't catch a pass in the postseason.

New England added wideouts Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, and Kelley Washington in the offseason via trade or free agency.

"It seems like a lot of people are writing him off because of the moves they made and I think that's a big mistake," said Canter.

Said Phillips, "They have to prepare for the worst-case scenario and that's Chad not being able to play and having to fill that role."

Even if Jackson is healthy, it is questionable whether there is a role for him in a revamped receiving group. The Patriots still have playoff starters Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney, and Troy Brown, also recovering from offseason knee surgery, has been working out in Foxborough. Counting Brown, Jackson would be competing against seven veterans for roster spots. The Patriots have 12 receivers on their roster, which does not include Brown, who is a free agent.

"I find it hard to believe that if Chad were 100 percent or healthy enough to play that he wouldn't be welcome," said Canter.

If Jackson continues to progress, the Patriots could place him on the reserve/PUP list to start the season, which would allow him to return after the sixth week of the season. New England also could give Jackson the equivalent of a redshirt year by placing him on injured reserve, allowing him to work out of the spotlight.

"Chad has matured a lot," said Phillips. "He's more prepared mentally than he has been before and he's ready to go."

Phillips said Jackson would be "disheartened" if he could not play this season.

"Chad is a competitive person and he wants to be there for the team and help the team win," she said. "Physically, it all depends on whether he's ready or not."

That determination rests with the Patriots.

"I'm a big supporter of the Patriots' organization and how they run things as long as Scott Pioli, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft are there," Canter said. "What's going to happen is going to happen. My gut tells me that Chad is going to do whatever he can do to be on the field on opening day."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.