Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard is likely to miss the first few weeks of the 2024 season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in training camp, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson revealed Monday.
Jacksonville reunited with veteran and former Jaguars starting safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. on Sunday, signing him to a one-year contract. Pederson suggested the move was related to Wingard’s status.
“I don’t want to put him in a box or label [Wingard]. But you know, it’ll definitely be some time,” Pederson said. “At least the first few games, possibly.”
Wingard joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent from Wyoming in 2019 and developed into a reliable special teamer and depth safety. He inked a three-year, $9.6 million contract extension with the club last year.
Over 78 appearances including 26 defensive starts with Jacksonville, Wingard has accumulated 250 tackles including eight for loss, two sacks, five interceptions, nine defended passes and three forced fumbles.
Gipson, who started 48 games for the Jaguars between 2016-18, is expected to fill a depth role in Jacksonville’s secondary while Wingard is out.
Pederson noted that Gipson will be sidelined on a timeline similar to Wingard’s if he makes Jacksonville’s 53-man roster. Gipson faces a six-game suspension to begin the 2024 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy but is eligible to practice and play in the preseason.
“Well, I mean, when you think about Dewey’s situation and Tashaun’s situation, they’re very similar because they’ll probably miss about the same time. And I’m saying that to say, you know, obviously Tashaun making the 53 and things of that nature at the end of camp,” Pederson explained.
“But for us too, it’s a veteran player that we’re familiar with who gives us more depth, gives us an opportunity at safety that right now kind of fills a spot. We’ve got some young safeties that are playing well and Savage right now is not cleared for contact yet, as much. So, just gives you another veteran body and some competition and I’m looking forward to getting him out there.”
Gipson recorded 159 tackles including five for loss, six interceptions, 16 defended passes and one fumble recovery in three years with the Jaguars.
He has logged 684 tackles with 18 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 33 interceptions including three pick-sixes, 68 defended passes, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in his 12-season NFL career.
The Jaguars are holding their 14th open training camp practice Monday. They’ll return to the Miller Electric Center Wednesday and Thursday for their final open dates, when Jacksonville hosts Tampa Bay, its Week 2 preseason opponent, for joint practices.