The Jacksonville Jaguars’ fanbase received a little bit of a scare Sunday when it was revealed that receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. needed an MRI, but according to several reports, surgery won’t be necessary. In fact, Jags coach Urban Meyer said he’d be able to practice this week.
#Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault avoided serious injury on his shoulder in Week 2, per source. Shenault was scheduled to have an MRI, per @AdamSchefter, and issue turned out to be minor.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 20, 2021
I'm told–as of now-the expectation is that #Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault (shoulder) "won't miss any time," per league source. Though they didn't detail current degree of injury or soreness, it was characterized to me as initially a "shoulder scare." Didn't hear same concern now.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 20, 2021
During Week 2’s game against Denver, there was a play where Shenault was brought down on the Jags sideline and came up slow. A few trainers came over to look at him in the process, but he was able to finish the game.
Though some of his performance was probably a result of him dealing with the injury, Shenault had his roughest game as a Jaguar and only totaled two catches for a loss of three yards on seven targets. However, with the staff having high hopes for him, it’s a game the Jags will happily put behind them and continue to build on what positives they can.
Shenault was able to accumulate seven catches for 50 yards prior in Week 1, but has yet to make the impact many were hoping for after being one of the stars of training camp. When looking at his rookie season in 2020, though, fans clearly shouldn’t be hitting the panic button yet as he’s proven he’s more than capable of being a playmaker.