[jwplayer rzKgNnfu-ThvAeFxT]
In the 2019 offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars were looking for some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball following the losses of Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson. That led to them adding an extra evaluator on that side of the ball in NFL legend, Dom Capers, who quickly identified a free agent he thought the team should sign. That player was a former player of his while in Green Bay in linebacker Jake Ryan.
The Jaguars signed Ryan to a two-year deal worth over six million dollars this offseason. With the news of Telvin Smith’s absence occurring this summer, some fans believed the team had plans to potentially pair Ryan with Myles Jack in some manner to give them two of their three starting linebackers. However, that potential opportunity never occurred.
Back in Green Bay, Ryan had a fairly successful start to his NFL career. The veteran linebacker managed to accumulate 206 total tackles in his three seasons of work (2015-2017). Unfortunately in 2018, Ryan suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for the entirety of the regular season.
While rehabbing in Jacksonville this summer, Ryan suffered a setback that has kept him off of the field — until now that is. According to Jags coach Doug Marrone, the young linebacker is now at 100 percent and will begin practicing with the team, which could lead to him being released off the NFI list.
Coach Marrone announces the team is healthy and that LB @JakeRyan_47 will start practicing today. pic.twitter.com/eWpgOS5r2h
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) November 11, 2019
This is great news for Jacksonville as the team could use some help at the linebacker position with members of the group struggling to stay healthy. At times, they’ve also struggled against the run (like in their last game against the Houston Texans) and that’s an area in which Ryan could help them.
When healthy, expect Ryan to make an immediate impact. He is one of a few linebackers on the roster that has over five years of experience at the position. That in itself could go a long way.