Hours after finalizing its initial 2024 practice squad, Jacksonville released quarterback E.J. Perry from the squad on Thursday afternoon, the Jaguars announced.
Perry signed with Jacksonville before its final preseason game against Atlanta last week but was waived from the active roster on Tuesday amid cutdowns to 53 players. He joined the Jaguars’ practice squad Wednesday.
The stint marked Perry’s third with Jacksonville in a reserve role, after originally signing with the club as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and returning last season while starting Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence battled multiple injuries.
Jacksonville brought Perry in after former Jaguars backup C.J. Beathard suffered a groin injury against Tampa Bay in Week 2 of the preseason. Beathard was let go during Tuesday cutdowns as well.
Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke noted Tuesday that, given Beathard was released with an injury settlement, Jacksonville will not be eligible to bring Beathard back in an active roster or practice squad capacity until he is three weeks removed from his injury. Other teams could sign Beathard in that timeframe.
“It was a significant injury and it’s going to keep him away from ball for a while, at least four weeks of the season. Could be longer; could be shorter,” Baalke said. “Depends on how quickly he heals and how the rehab goes, but that’s the timeline right now.”
Meaning, if Jacksonville would like to carry a quarterback on its practice squad for at least the first seven weeks of the season, it will have to be someone other than Beathard, or Perry, seemingly.
Sixteen of Jacksonville’s 17 practice squad spots are now filled.