It looks like Jacksonville may have to brave the rest of the season without one of its best offensive players. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the injury that resulted in receiver D.J. Chark Jr. being carted off the field on the Jaguars opening drive was a fractured ankle.
This is a massive loss for a Jags offense that was already struggling to find its footing with a rookie quarterback under center in Trevor Lawrence. Now, expect leading receiver Marvin Jones Jr. to see even more targets moving forward with Chark possibly being out for a while (if not the rest of the season).
Tyron Johnson could take Chark’s place as a starter, but it’s also possible that Tavon Austin, who was placed on the injured reserve to begin the season but made his Jags debut on Thursday night against the Bengals, will take over that spot.
Regardless, the depth of the receiver group will be tested big-time without Chark, and there will be a lot of pressure on Jones and Laviska Shenault Jr. to replace his production.