NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided an update on the knee injury that Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook sustained Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and unfortunately, it’s not looking good. Per Rapoport, the Jags fear that Westbrook tore his ACL, which would end his 2020 season.
The #Jaguars fear that WR Dede Westbrook tore his ACL in yesterday’s loss to the #Chargers, source said. He’ll have an MRI to confirm the injury that would knock him out for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2020
Westbrook sustained the injury after trying to return a kickoff in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. It appears to have happened as he was trying to make a cut before being tackled by Chargers linebacker Emeke Egbule.
Westbrook remained on the turf after the hit and was being attended to by some Jags trainers once the broadcast returned from the commercial break. Announcer Andrew Catalon informed the viewers that the replay revealed a graphic injury which they wouldn’t show again. After another commercial break the trainers were able to get Westbrook on a cart where he was taken to the back for evaluations.
Westbrook finished Sunday with four kickoff returns for 89 yards and also returned a punt for 36 yards. In the kickoff prior to the one where he sustained the injury, Westbrook had a fumble, however, the staff felt good enough to keep him in the game for more returns.
Westbrook was one of Gardner Minshew’s favorite targets last season, but the emergence of players like rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. and Keelan Cole caused him to be inactive on various occasions in 2020. However, with rookie Chris Claybrooks struggling with returns, the staff decided they wanted a proven player handling their important special teams role and decided to get Westbrook more involved.
Once the information about Westbrook’s MRI are disclosed, we’ll have more on his situation.