The Jacksonville Jaguars placed cornerback Sidney Jones IV on injured reserve Saturday. As a result, his season is over as players who are designated to injured reserve must miss a minimum of three games.
Jones’ designation to IR is yet another blow to the Jags’ secondary as their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, C.J. Henderson, also won’t be returning this season. After joining the team’s practice squad in early September, he received his first start Week 5 against the Houston Texans and put together several solid games, and established himself as their most consistent corner. He ultimately finished the season with a 68.1 grade via Pro Football Focus, ranking him 34th (of 125 players) in terms of the league’s cornerback grades.
Jones seemingly was finding himself after not meeting expectations earlier in his career as a second-round pick with the Philadelphia Eagles. With changes coming within the Jags’ front office, it’s not clear if he’ll be returning to the team in 2021, but ultimately time will tell.
Jones will finish the 2020 season with 26 tackles and two interceptions, which is tied for a team-high. He also will exit the 2020 season with nine pass breakups, a figure that is also good for a team-high.
With Jones out for 2020, the Jags will lean on Tre Herndon to be the leader at the corner position for the Jags’ last two games. The team will also have rookie Chris Claybrooks to help lead the way as he’s registered three starts in 2020.