Category: Injury news

Jaguars injury report: A.J. Cann, several others upgraded to full participation Thursday

Jags guard A.J. Cann was one of three starters on the Jags injury report to be upgraded Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars upgraded several players to full participation Thursday in preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals. Among them were guard A.J. Cann (illness) and safeties Brandon Watson (knee) and Andrew Wingard (core muscle), all of whom were limited Wednesday.

Cann’s return to full participation was one many predicted, however, Wingard’s situation is good news as he left Week 3’s game against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter. Watson was the player to replace him, which means that the Jags could’ve had low numbers at safety Sunday if either didn’t make progress health-wise.

The most notable name on the injury report , D.J. Chark, remained a limited participant in practice after missing last Thursday’s game. Earlier in the week, coach Doug Marrone said the team had been awaiting some tests for Chark to return to practice, and evidently, those tests came back good enough.

Another key name on the injury report who was limited was newly acquired kicker Stephen Hauschka, who didn’t participate in practice Wednesday. This could be a sign that he may be a full participant Friday and is trending to potentially be ruled probable on the final injury report.

The last notable name on the injury report was center Brandon Linder, who once again didn’t participate in practice after missing Wednesday’s session. The veteran has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained in the third quarter of the Jags’ Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans, which caused him to miss Week 3’s game against the Dolphins. Tyler Shatley has been playing in his spot since the injury and that would once again be the case Sunday if Linder can’t suit up.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

Jags LB Quincy Williams designated for return from IR

The Jags could be getting one of their 2019 draft picks back from IR soon as Quincy Williams was designated for return Wednesday afternoon.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams got closer to his return to the field Wednesday after the team designated him for a return off injured reserve. That gives the Jags 21 days to activate him to the active roster if they choose. Until then, he won’t count against the final 53-man roster.

Williams, 24, was placed on IR on Sept. 8 with a core muscle injury that began bothering him around mid-August. A week after the media was informed of the injury, it was announced that he had successful surgery to repair the issue.

Williams was drafted in the third-round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Murray State after former linebacker Telvin Smith retired. He ended up starting in eight games, but had a brief stint where he was benched as a result of struggling to get acclimated with the speed of the NFL. Ultimately, Williams ended up with 48 total tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in 2019.

Williams will get to continue his development when/if the Jags decide to bring him back and he’d be able to help the Jags on special teams, too. The team hasn’t spoken on a timeline for Williams to reclaim a roster spot so they likely won’t rush him back unless an unexpected injury happens at linebacker.

D.J. Chark set to return to practice as a limited participant

D.J. Chark will be back on the practice field for the Jags Wednesday as they prepare for the Bengals.

The absence of Jacksonville Jaguars receiver D.J. Chark proved to be a big issue for the team against the Miami Dolphins, which is why many fans are watching his situation with a close eye. According to coach Doug Marrone, Chark will be back on the practice field Wednesday as a limited participant after surfacing on last week’s injury report with chest and back injuries.

Last Monday is when Chark surfaced on the Jags’ injury report as a limited participant. As the week went on, he was downgraded and didn’t participate in the Jags’ last practice before they took the field against the Dolphins. That came in the process of him being ruled questionable on the final injury report and downgraded to OUT Thursday afternoon.

Last week and earlier this week, Marrone said Chark was awaiting some test results before his return and it seems the results were good enough for Chark to practice. That’s especially huge news for  quarterback Gardner Minshew II and the Jags’ offense, who couldn’t get much of anything going against the Dolphins.

Of course, we’ll still have to monitor Chark’s progress throughout the week as the Jags will release two more injury reports after Wednesday’s. We’ll also be sure to monitor Brandon Linder’s situation as he’s expected to return into the starting lineup after sustaining a knee injury Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.

Doug Marrone expecting Brandon Linder, Andrew Wingard to return from injuries soon

The Jags seem close to the returns of Brandon Linder, Andrew Wingard, and D.J. Chark, all of whom should be available for practice next week.

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered their Week 3 game against the Miami Dolphins without center Brandon Linder, but it appears he has a chance to be back Week 4. According to coach Doug Marrone, Linder is trending upward and should be able to practice Monday.

Linder injured his knee in the Jags’ Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans. The injury occurred early in the third quarter and Tyler Shatley was inserted into the game in his place. Shatley also started in Thursday’s game against the Dolphins, marking his eight career start at center.

As the leader of the Jags’ offensive line, it would be huge to have Linder back  in the trenches, especially when considering the Jags’ struggles to run the ball Week 3. The team only had 72 rushing yards against the Dolphins and that simply must change if they are to have success.

The Jags will also likely be getting receiver D.J. Chark (chest/back) back soon, who is arguably the best player on the team. Marrone said it was just a matter of him clearing a few tests, so it feels like his chances are good for a Week 4 return. That’s great news because the Jags’ offense didn’t function all that well without him against the Dolphins and the group failed to register a passing touchdown.

Marrone also stated that the team hopes to have safety Andrew Wingard back on the practice field Monday after he left Thursday’s game with a core muscle injury. Wingard was filling in for the Jags’ initial starter at safety, Jarrod Wilson, who sustained a hamstring injury Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve afterward. Brandon Watson filled in for Wingard Thursday, so it looks like he’ll be the one to start for the second-year player if he’s not available against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jags LB Leon Jacobs ruled out for season with a torn ACL

After their loss to the Dolphins, the Jags received some bad news concerning one of their starters as Leon Jacobs will be out for the season.

After having to be carted out of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thursday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Leon Jacobs has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the third-year player suffered a torn ACL, giving the Jags’ defense its first notable in-season loss due to injury.

Jacobs, 24, suffered the injury while engaged with Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe. Another tight end, Adam Shaheen, came in to help Smythe for a double-team, and the impact of his block caused Jacobs to sustain the injury and immediately go down. Not too soon after that, the trainers were on the field assisting Jacobs to the medical team’s injury cart.

Once Jacobs exited the game, Cassius Marsh came on to the field in his place and was able to accumulate three tackles on the night.

Linebacker was a strength for the Jags in training camp and now they will likely need to make an addition as Marsh is now listed as the team’s only strong-side linebacker. With that being the case, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jags look into free-agency this weekend as they will have extra time to prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jags release list of 6 inactive for Week 3 game vs. Dolphins

D.J. Chark and Brandon Linder were officially listed amongst the Jags inactives for Thursday Night Football.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released their list of inactives for Week 3’s Thursday Night prime-time game against the Miami Dolphins. This week, receiver Dede Westbrook wasn’t amongst the group as many expected due to D.J. Chark (chest/back) being ruled out early Thursday afternoon. Likely starting in his place will be Keelan Cole.

The other notable player to surface on the list, of course, was Brandon Linder, who the Jags ruled out on the final injury report with a knee injury. Starting in his place will be veteran Tyler Shatley who has started in seven games at center.

With Westbrook seeing his first action of the year it will be interesting to see if he also takes some snaps as a returner as rookie Chris Claybrooks had some muffed returns Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

As for the Dolphins, there was only one notable listed on their group of inactives and that was cornerback Byron Jones (Achilles/groin), who was also ruled out on the final injury report like Linder. Starting in his place will likely be first-round rookie Noah Igbinoghene.

Report: D.J. Chark ‘trending upward’ for game vs. Dolphins with chest and back injuries

Jags WR DJ Chark will be a game time decision for Thursday night, but NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that he’s ‘trending upward.’

While we will ultimately know his status closer to the game, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark is trending in the right direction health-wise for tonight’s Thursday Night Football battle against the Miami Dolphins.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was able to provide an update on the third-year receiver early Thursday morning after Chark was limited in practice Monday and Tuesday, but missed Wednesday’s session and was ruled questionable on the final injury report.

If Chark can play, it would give Gardner Minshew II his top target as Chark accumulated 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 and went to the Pro Bowl. This year, Chark has only managed to garner seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, but that’s been because Minshew has done a good job spreading the ball around.

Having Chark suit up could also be a huge issue for the Dolphins as they ruled out starting cornerback Byron Jones with a groin and Achilles injury. Starting in his place will be first-round rookie Noah Igbinoghene, who had a rough Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, allowing seven completions for over 140 yards and two touchdowns. With that being the case, our comrades over at Dolphins Wire believe Miami should utilize Xavien Howard to cover Chark if he plays.

If Chark is held out of the game, things could be a little closer, but still favorable for the Jags. Their depth at receiver is on a strength of the team and there are several others who could step up in the absence of Chark like Keelan Cole or Dede Westbrook (who was inactive Weeks 1-2). They’ve also received solid contributions from rookies Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson.

Clearly, we’ll know more about Chark’s status when the Jags release their list of inactives. However, if the Jags want to allow him more time to heal up, this might be the right time because the Dolphins have struggled mightily on defense.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

Final injury report for Week 3: Jags rule Chark as questionable, Linder ruled OUT vs. Dolphins

The Jags may be without two key offensive starters against the Miami Dolphins, who have a key defensive injury of their own to deal with.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without several key players for their Thursday Night Football battle with the Miami Dolphins, most of which are on the offensive side.

As expected, the Jags ruled center Brandon Linder out after he sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. With him set to be sidelined, Tyler Shatley, who has seven career starts at center (15 starts overall) will start in his place.

Receiver D.J. Chark Jr. was ruled questionable and didn’t practice Wednesday. He was limited both on Monday and Tuesday so his status could go either way come game time. Luckily, if he can’t go the Jags a pretty strong at receiver with Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook (who has been inactive all season), and rookies Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson behind him.

As mentioned earlier, kicker Josh Lambo was ruled out with a hip injury and will be going on injured reserve. Starting in his place will be practice squad rookie Brandon Wright from Georgia State University.

The only two other players to surface on the injury report for the Jags, Tyler Davis and Brandon Watson, were full participants in practice and were left off the status column.

As for the Dolphins, they ruled their star cornerback Byron Jones out with a hip and Achilles injury, which means rookie Noah Igbinoghene will start in his place. In their last game, the first-rounder struggled mightily so his matchups on the outside will be worth watching Thursday.

The Dolphins also ruled backup safety Clayton Fejedelem out, too, while all of the others on their injury report were full participants.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

Jags add PK Josh Lambo to injury report with left hip injury

There was only one change to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report Tuesday and that was the addition of place kicker Josh Lambo. After not surfacing on the list Monday, the veteran was added with a left hip injury but did practice on a limited …

There was only one change to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report Tuesday and that was the addition of place kicker Josh Lambo. After not surfacing on the list Monday, the veteran was added with a left hip injury but did practice on a limited basis.

Receiver D.J. Chark and tight end Tyler Davis appear to be trending in the right direction as both were limited for the second straight time this week. On the other hand, center Brandon Linder and safety Brandon Watson appear to be long shots for Thursday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Just like the Jags, the Dolphins had no changes to their injury report on Tuesday. The notables to surface on it who were full participants included running back Matt Breida, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, and linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

The notable players to surface on it who were limited included cornerback Xavien Howard, defensive end Shaq Lawson, and receiver DeVante Parker. Their big free-agent pickup, Byron Jones, also surfaced on the injury report as a non-participant which doesn’t bode well for their secondary. They will likely play rookie Noah Igbinoghene in his place if he can’t suit up, who struggled Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

 

Jags center Brandon Linder avoids IR, will be day-to-day

Jaguars team captain Brandon Linder won’t have to go on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury Sunday against the Titans Sunday.

The NFL had a concerning amount of scary injuries on Sunday with many marquee names having to go on injured reserve, or sit out the remainder of the season. The Jacksonville Jaguars received a scare of their own when center Brandon Linder went down in the third quarter of Week 2’s game against the Tennessee Titans after sustaining a knee injury.

Fortunately, on Monday coach Doug Marrone announced that Linder won’t need to go on IR and will be day-to-day. Marrone added that he wasn’t sure about Linder’s availability for the Jags’ next game, which will be a primetime Thursday night matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Linder was replaced by veteran backup Tyler Shatley, and despite the change, the Jags were able to move the ball down the field on the same drive and scored with a rushing attempt by James Robinson.

If Linder isn’t available there certainly will be a drop-off, but Shatley is battle tested and started in seven games at center for Linder back in 2018 when the veteran went down with another knee injury. He’s started in eight other contests at guard, bringing his start total to 15 since joining the Jags in 2014.