After their heartbreaking loss on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars re-tooled their practice squad, adding veteran linemen Corey Peters and James Murray on defense and offense respectively. The corresponding moves to open spots for Peters and Murray were the release of offensive lineman Nick Ford, and linebacker Grant Morgan from the practice squad.
This move marks the first of Jacksonville’s regular season and is sure to be one in a series of changes the team will make as they continue to evaluate the talent on their roster. Their Week 1 loss was likely a cause for introspection for the coaching staff and front office, who clearly decided that veteran additions would be a must for success later in the season.
Peters, the newly added defensive tackle, signed with Jacksonville for what will be his 13th year in the NFL, and his third stint on a new team. Previous experience as a third-round draft pick with the Atlanta Falcons from 2010 to 2014 and the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 to 2021 will serve the Jaguars’ defense well as they look to bring in veteran talent to bolster their young core.
On the other hand, Murray, the offensive lineman, has been in the NFL since 2018 when he landed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He has bounced around the league in his five years, signing with the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens after his release from Kansas City in 2019.
Ford and Morgan, who saw their time in Duval County come to an abrupt end on Monday, were both undrafted free agents after April’s selection meeting and will seek contracts elsewhere as they look to establish themselves as professional players. Ford is an extremely versatile lineman who played every position up front at the University of Utah, and Morgan was an unsung hero on the Arkansas Razorbacks defense over his illustrious college career.