Category: Injury news

Doug Pederson updates Jaguars’ injuries ahead of training camp

Doug Pederson updates Jaguars’ injuries ahead of training camp

The Jaguars enter their 2024 training camp with a relatively clean bill of health.

Only two players are on Jacksonville’s injured lists at this point in the offseason: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead (knee) is on the active/physically unable to perform list; wide receiver David White Jr. (knee) is on injured reserve.

The Jaguars aren’t rushing Armstead, one of their prized free agent signings of the year, back onto the field as he continues to recover from surgery on a torn meniscus suffered last season with San Francisco, according to Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson.

“This guy, he’s played a ton of football, right?” said Pederson. “I wanna make sure guys like that — you know, we brought them here obviously to help us. But at the same time, we’ve got to make sure that they’re healthy before we put them on the field.”

Armstead missed five games due to the injury and returned to action below full health during the 49ers’ 2023-24 three-game playoff run, waiting to operate on the hurt until after the campaign.

In nine years with the 49ers, who picked him in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, Armstead tallied 302 tackles with 43 for loss, 33.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and six defended passes. He added 38 tackles with six for loss, eight sacks and one forced fumble in 12 playoff games, including two Super Bowl appearances.

After being released by San Francisco in March, Armstead joined Jacksonville on a three-year, $43.5 million deal.

“He knows what it takes. He’s a vet. I’ve seen him during OTAs, I’ve seen him even while he was here during our little three days with the rookies,” Pederson said.

“He’s kind of another coach right now on the field until he gets ready to go. That’s invaluable. That’s gold out there on the field. So I’m not concerned right now this early that he’s not out there. I just wanna make sure that when he is out there, that he’s a hundred percent.”

Pederson also shared that Jaguars’ rookie running back and return specialist, Keilan Robinson, suffered a sprained toe during Jacksonville’s rookie minicamp, forecasting the injury would limit the fifth-round draft pick to begin camp.

Yet Robinson participated in position and team drills without wearing a no-contact jersey during Wednesday’s practice, appearing unrestrained during the workout.

Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Steven Jones “tweaked” his calf during a pre-camp conditioning test on Tuesday, per Pederson. Jones was not observed during Wednesday’s practice.

While his injury wasn’t mentioned by Pederson, Jaguars free agent safety signee Darnell Savage sported a no-contract jersey while participating, including during team drills, in Wednesday’s practice.

Savage was similarly active while limited during Jacksonville’s offseason team activities and mandatory minicamp while continuing to recover from a rotator cuff injury suffered with Green Bay in Week 13 last season.

Savage inked a three-year, $21.8 million deal with the Jaguars after posting 302 tackles with nine for loss, one sack, nine interceptions, one pick-six, 32 defended passes and two forced fumbles in five seasons with the Packers.

Jaguars place DL Arik Armstead on active/PUP list

Jaguars place DL Arik Armstead on active/PUP list

The Jaguars placed defensive lineman Arik Armstead on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list Saturday, the team announced.

The move casts doubt on Armstead’s ability to practice when Jacksonville’s training camp begins this week. The Jaguars can remove Armstead from the PUP list at any time, however.

Per Jaguars team reporter Kainani Stevens, Armstead continues to rehabilitate from surgery on a torn meniscus, an injury that sidelined the defensive lineman for five regular season games with San Francisco in 2023.

Armstead played through the hurt for three games during the postseason before operating on it in February.

But in a move to free salary cap space, the 49ers released Armstead in March, leading him to sign a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the Jaguars.

In nine seasons with San Francisco, Armstead compiled 302 tackles with 43 for loss, 33.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and six defended passes. He added 38 tackles with six for loss, eight sacks and one forced fumble in 12 playoff games.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson stated his belief in June that Armstead and fellow experienced free agent signees will offer the team much-needed leadership as Jacksonville aspires to return to the postseason, after being eliminated from contention in Week 18 at 9-8 last year.

“Just the experience that he’s had, I think being on San Francisco and the success that they’ve had, bringing that experience to us and our young players. That leadership is going to be vital to the success that we have and having more of those guys on the roster only helps,” Pederson said.

“Once we get him out there on the grass working with the guys, I think you’re going to see an ultimate pro in the way approaches everything.”

Jacksonville’s veteran players will report for training camp on Wednesday, with rookies having checked in on Friday.

The Jaguars will open 16 training camp practices to fans, beginning Thursday. Find the full schedule here.

Doug Pederson shares positive update on Jaguars DB Darnell Savage

Doug Pederson shares positive update on Jaguars DB Darnell Savage

Jaguars free agent defensive back signee Darnell Savage is making progress as he continues to recover from an injury suffered during his final season with the Packers, according to Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson.

Savage revealed to the Florida Times-Union in May that his recovery from a torn rotator cuff suffered in Week 13 of the 2023 season was limiting his participation in Jacksonville’s offseason team activities. Savage continued to sport a no-contact jersey during the Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp this week.

But Savage has flashed the play-making abilities that led to his signing with Jacksonville on a three-year, $21.8 million deal earlier this offseason in these practices, despite his current physical restrictions. Notably, he recorded an interception in team drills during Tuesday’s minicamp practice.

Pederson believes Savage is on track to participate fully in training camp later this summer.

“He’s getting a lot stronger. Getting more reps with the defense. He’s showing a lot of good things out there, and just, he’s in a good position now,” Pederson said Wednesday. “I think when he comes back for camp he’ll be ready to go.”

A 2019 first-round pick by Green Bay, Savage spent five seasons with the Packers and accumulated 302 tackles with nine for loss, one sack, nine interceptions, one pick-six, 32 defended passes and two forced fumbles over 72 appearances and 69 starts.

Savage displayed ample positional versatility during his time with the Packers, logging 2,467 snaps at free safety, 1,026 snaps at box safety and 961 snaps at nickel cornerback.

Pederson said in March that Savage would begin at nickel corner in new Jaguausr’ defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s scheme. Nielsen added in May that Savage is working both spots, nickel and safety, and is even capable of playing outside cornerback.

“He’s aligning at nickel, at safety. In a pinch, he can run so we can put him in some man coverage situations. So, he’s a great guy to have,” Nielsen said.

“Really happy that our front office, [Jaguars general manager] Trent [Baalke], and those guys, brought him in. The guy has been fantastic in terms of just being around [and] learning the system.”

Report: Jaguars waive WR David White Jr. with injury designation

Report: Jaguars waive WR David White Jr. with injury designation

The Jaguars waived undrafted rookie wide receiver David White Jr. with an injury designation on Wednesday, per ESPN’s NFL transaction wire. White will revert to Jacksonville’s injured reserve if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

White suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during one of Jacksonville’s offseason team activity (OTAs) practices last week.

“Yeah, noncontact obviously. Unfortunate, just running a route,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said about White’s injury on Monday. “He was having a really good offseason, and [I] just wish him well now during the recovery. We’ll get him back and hopefully, everything for him is positive.”

White was one of five rookie wide receivers Jacksonville signed after the 2024 NFL draft, alongside Joshua Cephus, Wayne Ruby Jr., Brevin Easton and Joseph Scates. The Jaguars also picked wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the draft’s first round.

Like White, Ruby was waived/injured by the Jaguars after suffering an undisclosed injury during rookie minicamp in May. He reverted to Jacksonville’s injured reserve after going unclaimed on waivers.

From Jacksonville, a class of 2018 graduate of Westside High School, White split his five-year college career between Western Carolina for two seasons and Valdosta State for three. Over 46 total appearances, he caught 94 passes for 1,442 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“Headspace is great and I’m very positive and strong on my outlook on the future. No need to sympathize just had to give an update,” White wrote via Instagram Sunday, revealing his injury.

“There will [be] highs there will be lows surely — At times you can do all you can and give it your all each day and take care of yourself and things can still take place. Nature of the game, taking it a day at a time people, Dream on.”

Christian Kirk avoided structural damage in injured knee

Christian Kirk’s injured knee should be just fine by the time training camp rolls around in the summer.

The knee of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk should be just fine when training camp begins for the 2023 season.

Kirk, 26, suffered no structural damage in his knee when he went down in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Brent Martineau of Action Sports Jax.

Although the initial injury didn’t look good, as Kirk appeared to tweak his knee without any contact made with his leg, there was optimism about the prognosis after the receiver returned to the game in the final minutes. After the loss, Kirk told reporters that initially looks from trainers indicated there was no structural damage. That was confirmed Monday when

The former Arizona Cardinals receiver signed with the Jaguars on a massive four-year, $72 million deal in free agency and lived up to that price tag by catching 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Jacksonville.

Kirk caught another 15 passes for 130 yards with two touchdowns in the Jaguars’ two playoff games.

Trevor Lawrence, 4 other questionable Jaguars active vs. Chiefs

Not that there was a question, but Trevor Lawrence is among the questionable players who is active Saturday.

There was zero concern for the Jacksonville Jaguars that the toe injury that had quarterback Trevor Lawrence listed as questionable would lead to him being inactive Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. His availability wasn’t made official until 90 minutes before kickoff, though.

Lawrence wasn’t on the Jaguars’ list of inactives. Neither were return specialist Jamal Agnew, guard Brandon Scherff, or center Luke Fortner, each of whom were also listed as questionable.

Of the six Jaguars players who were listed as questionable on Friday, only wide receiver Kendric Pryor — an undrafted rookie who hasn’t played a snap this season — is inactive.

For the Chiefs, there wasn’t much mystery about the team’s injury situation heading into Saturday. The only player who received an injury designation Friday was wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who was ruled out.

There was some question about whether or not running Clyde Edwards-Helaire and/or tight end Jody Fortson would be moved to the active roster in time to play Saturday. Both players have been designated to return from the injured reserve, but neither will be available to the Chiefs against the Jaguars.

Chargers downgrade WR Mike Williams to out vs. Jaguars

The Chargers downgraded WR Mike Williams from questionable to out.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without wide receiver Mike Williams on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On Friday, a day ahead of the Wild Card Weekend matchup, the Chargers downgraded Williams from questionable to out. The receiver suffered a back contusion in Week 18 when Los Angeles inexplicably played its starters for the majority of a game against the Denver Broncos, despite being locked into the fifth seed in the AFC before kickoff.

While the Chargers were initially optimistic about Williams’ chances of playing Saturday, his status came into question when he missed all three practices leading up to the playoff game.

Williams, 28, finished the 2022 regular season with 63 receptions, a team-leading 895 yards, and four touchdowns. One of those touchdowns came in Week 3 against the Jaguars, although it was his only reception of the game.

The Chargers were without five-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen in that game, but will have the veteran back in action Saturday for the rematch. With Williams out of action, second-year receiver Josh Palmer will likely be in the Chargers’ starting lineup.

Los Angeles finished the regular season with the third most passing yards in the NFL.

Jaguars list all 7 questionable players as active vs. Titans

All 7 Jaguars players who were listed as questionable are good to go tonight.

All seven players who were listed as questionable by the Jacksonville Jaguars for a Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans are active for the team’s Saturday night showdown for the AFC South.

It’s not too surprising as all seven players — which included quarterback Trevor Lawrence and outside linebacker Travon Walker — were expected to play in the regular season finale.

The list of inactives instead included four rookies and Jeremiah Ledbetter, who was recently promoted from the practice squad.

It’s all hands on deck for the Titans as well, with cornerback Kristian Fulton and wide receiver Treylon Burks, both of whom were listed as questionable, active Saturday.

Lawrence has been questionable for five straight games since suffering a toe sprain against the Detroit Lions, but he hasn’t missed a game. Walker missed two games due to an ankle sprain before returning last week against the Houston Texans.

The winner of the Saturday night game at TIAA Bank Field will be the AFC South champions. The Jaguars have a small chance at the postseason if they lose.

Jaguars rule all 6 questionable players active vs. Texans

All six players that were listed as questionable by the Jaguars are good to go Sunday.

All six players who were listed as questionable in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ final injury report of Week 17 are active for a road game against the Houston Texans.

That includes 2022 No. 1 pick Travon Walker, who missed the last two weeks due to an ankle sprain. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was also listed as questionable due to a toe sprain, but there wasn’t much doubt about his status Sunday.

Instead, it’s five relatively unsurprising names on the list of inactives.

Houston’s list of inactives also didn’t have any surprises. The team ruled out two players Friday — offensive lineman Jimmy Morrissey and tight end Tegan Quitoriano — and only running back Dare Ogunbowale as questionable.

Ogunbowale is good to go Sunday against the Jaguars.

Quarterback Kyle Allen started two games for the Texans earlier this season, but has been relegated back to the bottom of the depth chart as Houston has instead employed a two-quarterback set with Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.

Titans place Ryan Tannehill, Bud Dupree, Zach Cunningham on IR

The Jaguars will play a depleted version of the Titans in the de facto AFC South championship game next week.

The Tennessee Titans will be severely depleted when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars in the de facto AFC South championship game next week.

On Thursday, the Titans placed quarterback Ryan Tannehill, pass rusher Bud Dupree, and linebacker Zach Cunningham on the injured reserve, likely ending the season for all three players and guaranteeing they won’t play in Week 18.

Tannehill recently underwent ankle surgery, but was reportedly hopeful to return in time to play against the Jaguars, although ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that plan never had much of a chance..

Both Dupree and Cunningham were injured in the Titans’ 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. After the pair of linebackers sat out all three practices this week, they were ruled out for Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

It looked as though the Titans were keeping players out to rest up for a Week 18 game that will decide the AFC South champion, regardless of Week 17 results. In addition to ruling out Tannehill, Dupree, and Cunningham, Tennessee is also keeping Jeffery Simmons out against the Cowboys and is likely to keep running back Derrick Henry out too.

The Titans started third-round rookie quarterback Malik Willis in three games so far this season, but reportedly plan to roll with sixth-year veteran Joshua Dobbs on Thursday. Tennessee signed Dobbs off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad last week.