Tag: Christian Kirk

Who could step up in place of Jaguars WR Gabe Davis?

Who could step up in place of Jaguars WR Gabe Davis?

The Jaguars are now without two starting wide receivers for the rest of the 2024 season.

After losing slot receiver Christian Kirk to a collarbone injury in Week 8, Jacksonville placed outside pass-catcher Gabe Davis on its injured reserve during its Week 12 bye with a reported meniscus tear.

Davis, who signed a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract with Jacksonville in March, finished the campaign with 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson on Friday identified potential candidates to replace Davis in Jacksonville’s offense moving forward, including Parker Washington, Devin Duvernay and Tim Jones among active roster members and Elijah Cooks, Joshua Cephus and Austin Trammell from the team’s practice squad.

Washington, in particular, could see his usage increase further. He has averaged nearly 35 offensive snaps per game since Week 8, largely due to Kirk’s absence, after logging almost 15 per game over the first seven matchups of the season.

“Yeah, Parker takes a big step forward, obviously. It’s a big role for him,” Pederson said.

“Devin Duvernay increased his role, but we’ve got Elijah Cooks, Joshua Cephus, Austin Trammell’s been elevated [from the practice squad] a couple of times. Any of those guys can step up. Tim Jones can obviously increase his role a little bit more offensively. But really Parker’s the guy that kind of steps into that role.”

Washington has 10 receptions for 118 yards this season, his second with the Jaguars since Jacksonville selected him at No. 185 overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He caught 16 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.

Washington has also returned six points for 24 yards on average this year, including a 96-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in Week 7.

Pederson expressed confidence in Washington’s development with the Jaguars this season and his ability to step into the starting lineup based on his previous experience doing so.

“I’ve seen a lot. His growth, maturity, understanding what we are asking of him, what he can do within the system. He and [Jaguars quarterback] Trevor [Lawrence] being on the same page. Just the growth. The growth that he’s made.” Pederson explained.

“This’ll be a great opportunity, much like the end of last season where he stepped up big in Christian’s absence, he’s got to do it again. That’s part of being a backup. He doesn’t — and I can understand this — think of himself as a backup, which is great. I can understand that, but now he gets an opportunity to be the guy. So, a lot of confidence in him and a lot of trust in him.”

Duvernay, Jones and Trammell have combined for five receptions and 69 yards this season. Cooks caught three passes for 38 yards as a rookie in 2023 but has yet to log a statistic this season. Cephus, an undrafted rookie, has yet to appear in a game with Jacksonville.

Pittsburgh radio host describes rumored trade package for Jaguars’ WR

Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan discussed the rumored trade package for WR Christian Kirk, prior to his injury.

It is rumored that the ‘Khan Artist’ was nearly conned at his own game. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan is beloved in the Steel City for his stellar draft selections, trade negotiations, and free agency signings.

However, a rumor coined by Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan, described on social media, suggests that the Steelers were extremely close to overpaying in a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk, prior to his season-ending collarbone injury.

According to Filliponi, the rumor claimed Pittsburgh would have sent a 2025 third-round draft selection to Jacksonville in exchange for Kirk..

While fans should take the rumor with a grain of salt, if true, the Steelers’ trade for New York Jets WR Mike Williams looks even more outstanding, as the 2025 fifth-round compensation given up is nowhere near as valuable as a third-round draft pick.

Williams should fit nicely into the offensive scheme in Pittsburgh, and fans could catch a glimpse of the Russell Wilson-Williams connection as early as Week 10, when the Steelers take on the Commanders on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Report: Steelers, Jaguars neared trade for WR Christian Kirk

Report: Steelers, Jaguars neared trade for WR Christian Kirk

The Jaguars were seemingly close to trading slot receiver Christian Kirk to the Pittsburgh Steelers before breaking his collarbone in Jacksonville’s Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Kirk was placed on Jacksonville’s injured reserve Saturday, officially ending his season.

“The Steelers were in the process of trying to get a deal done for Christian Kirk, and league sources told ESPN there was a reasonable chance that the Jaguars wide receiver was going to wind up in Pittsburgh until he broke his collarbone last Sunday,” Schefter wrote Saturday.

Schefter noted the Steelers have been aggressive in searching for wide receiver help as the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline approaches, suggesting Pittsburgh will continue to look into potential trades after a deal for Kirk fell apart.

Kirk’s injury marked his second season-ender in as many years. A core muscle injury ended his 2023 campaign in Week 13.

The third-year Jaguars receiver finished his 2024 season with 27 receptions for 379 yards and one touchdown. He has caught 168 passes for 2,274 yards and 12 touchdowns in 37 games with Jacksonville.

Steelers fans react to devastating trade target injury news

Steelers fans passionately reacted to the trade news regarding the Steelers almost trading for WR Christian Kirk before his injury.

Teams around the NFL were acquiring receivers via trade left and right, and the Steelers, perhaps the most WR-needy team of them all, made no moves whatsoever.

On Friday, fans of the Steel City received an update from insider Adam Schefter on the Pittsburgh WR trade rumors, and it was heartbreaking, to say the least.

Schefter reported that the Steelers were close to acquiring WR Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars just before his season-ending collarbone injury against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

Fans can still hold onto hope for other prominent veteran WRs on the trade market; however, a player of Kirk’s caliber could have been exactly what the 6-2 Steelers needed.

The Black and Gold faithful continue to lobby for the Steelers to acquire additional talent, but some have given up hope after hearing the awful news. Here are some of the passionate fan responses to the news on social media.

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WR’s season-ending injury halted trade to Pittsburgh, per insider

According to insider Adam Schefter, WR Christian Kirk’s season-ending injury halted a probable trade to Pittsburgh.

Steelers fans eagerly awaiting Pittsburgh to make a potential blockbuster trade almost got their wish, according to insider Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported on Saturday afternoon that league sources indicated that, prior to Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk’s collarbone injury, the Steelers had a “reasonable chance” of finally pulling off a WR trade.

Kirk has accumulated 5,176 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his 93 career games played.

The report from Schefter makes complete sense, as fans were perplexed when WR trades were taking place left and right in the league, yet the Steelers were not among the teams making them. Losing the team’s primary trade target to injury is extremely unfortunate, and it remains to be seen if General Manager Omar Khan can pull off a WR trade before the deadline on November 5th.

Pittsburgh has until Tuesday, November 5th, at 4:00 PM EST to finalize any trades. Will Khan help build an unstoppable receiving corps before the deadline, or will the team continue to rely on WR Calvin Austin III and WR Van Jefferson opposite WR George Pickens?

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Jaguars promote WRs from practice squad for Week 9

Jaguars promote WRs from practice squad for Week 9

With injuries mounting at the position entering their Week 9 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jacksonville Jaguars promoted wide receivers Elijah Cooks and Austin Trammell from their practice squad to the active roster via standard elevation on Saturday.

Jacksonville will be without starting slot receiver Christian Kirk for the rest of the season after he broke his collarbone in Week 8.

To pair, fellow starting receivers, Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) enter Week 9 questionable, and backup receiver and return specialist Devin Duvernay is currently on the injured reserve.

Cooks joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of San Jose State in 2023 and secured a spot on the club’s 53-player roster to open the season. He made nine appearances as a rookie and caught three passes for 38 yards.

However, Cooks was relegated to Jacksonville’s practice squad this season. His elevation for Week 9 will mark his first game active with the Jaguars this year.

Tranmell joined the Jaguars this offseason after beginning his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and spending the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Like Cooks, he was moved to Jacksonville‘s practice squad in August.

Trammell has logged six receptions for 42 yards and averaged 16.8 yards per kickoff return and 7.3 yards per punt return over 24 career appearances.

Jaguars place WR Christian Kirk on injured reserve

Jaguars place WR Christian Kirk on injured reserve

The Jaguars placed starting slot receiver Christian Kirk on their injured reserve Saturday, officially ending his season after he suffered a broken collarbone in Jacksonville’s Week 8 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Kirk landed on his shoulder while attempting to catch a fourth-quarter, 3rd and 11 pass from Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper fell on top of Kirk as he made contact with the ground.

Kirk finishes the 2024 season, his seventh in the NFL and third with Jacksonville, with 27 receptions for 379 yards and one touchdown, bringing his three-year, 37-game line with the Jaguars to 168 receptions for 2,274 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Kirk took to Instagram to share a message with Jaguars fans when it was revealed he would miss the rest of the campaign.

Defining moments like this in our lives provide an opportunity to show who we are in our core. The “obstacle” is always the way, and that’s how I choose to attack it. My journey is far from over in this league, and know I’ll be back better than ever.

To Duval, my teammates, coaches, and family, I’m sorry that I won’t be out there for the rest of the season. I’ve loved every moment of being apart of this organization, and hopefully will spend many more Sundays in a Jags uniform.

I love this game more than anything.. I promise you will see the best version of myself come next season… until then.

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Key matchups

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 9 coming off a rough loss to Green Bay at home and look to get back into the win column in a tough road matchup in Philadelphia.

However, the Jaguars may be without several key players at key positions this weekend. This could pose some issues for a team that is looking to secure their second win in three weeks. A win against the Eagles could boost a ton of confidence into a roster and coaching staff that needs it.

Philadelphia has seemed to right the ship after a rocky start to the season, having played some of its best football in all phases in recent weeks. Jacksonville looks to slow their momentum and steal the home field advantage in this weekend’s late Sunday afternoon bout.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at a couple of the key matchups against the Eagles that could be critical in securing win No. 3 for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville’s skill players vs. Philadelphia’s secondary

The Jaguars got beat up this past weekend against the Packers.

Standout slot receiver Christian Kirk went down with a broken collarbone and is out for the season. Rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. is said to be a game-time decision with a rib injury but head coach Doug Pederson suggested earlier this week it will likely come down to pain tolerance for team’s top playmaker. Receiver Gabe Davis is also nursing a shoulder injury.

This means second-year wideout Parker Washington, top tight end Evan Engram, Tim Jones, and a practice squad call-up could be the ones trotting out against a sound Eagles secondary.

Philadelphia is getting some quality play from some of their younger talents, including rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. While Darius Slay is out with a groin injury this week, the Eagles have capable depth in Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers.

Their safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, and Sydney Brown make up the rest of a secondary that is built to take on the vertical stretching ability of the Jaguars offense.

The Eagles 57.1 passer rating against deep targets is the fifth-lowest in football, according to Next Gen Stats. This doesn’t bold well for Trevor Lawrence skill players, especially if Thomas can’t go this weekened.

Yet, should Thomas be healthy, it will be a significant boost for an offense that will need him to continue to be the top playmaker he has been this season. Look for the Eagles to play plenty of disguised coverages from a Cover 3 base alignment that will allow them to rotate to play more match and quarters coverage.

Jacksonville’s defense vs. Philadelphia’s offense

This is seemingly nightmare fuel for a Jaguars defense that is in the bottom-five in most statistical defenses.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley have been terrors on the ground against opposing defenses. These two have allowed the Eagles to field the second-best rushing offense in the NFL behind the juggernaut Baltimore Ravens run game.

It doesn’t help that wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been outstanding this season in the passing game, posing more trouble for a lowly Jaguars secondary.

Jacksonville has struggled to penetrate the backfield consistently this season despite the talents of pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker along with interior linemen DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead. Inconsistency has been a constant theme for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and his defense overall.

Putting it bluntly, this is not a well-coached defense and a man-heavy system that has put players on all three levels in a disadvantageous position. However, the key to finding some improvement is simple: an increase in zone coverage variations and blitzes.

Jacksonville has the lowest blitz-rate in the league and that must change if they want to give their secondary a chance to make plays on pressure-influenced passes. If this were to happen Sunday and the Jaguars force Hurts into bad decisions with the football, there is a path to a successful day against a strong Eagles offense.

Jaguars vs. Eagles: Final injury reports, game statuses

Jaguars vs. Eagles: Final injury reports, game statuses

Find Jacksonville and Philadelphia’s final injury reports and game statuses for Week 9 below.

Jaguars injury report

  • RB Keilan Robinson^ (toe) — full
  • CB Ronald Darby (hip) — full
  • RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) — limited
  • RB Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) — limited
  • WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) — limited
  • WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) — limited
  • OG Brandon Scherff (knee) — limited*
  • DT Maason Smith (ankle) — limited
  • S Andrew Wingard^ (knee) — limited
  • WR Christian Kirk (collarbone) — did not practice
  • OG Ezra Cleveland (ankle) — did not practice

Jaguars game statuses

  • RB Travis Etienne Jr.: QUESTIONABLE
  • RB Tank Bigsby: QUESTIONABLE
  • RB Keilan Robinson: QUESTIONABLE
  • WR Brian Thomas Jr.: QUESTIONABLE
  • WR Gabe Davis: QUESTIONABLE
  • OL Brandon Scherff: QUESTIONABLE
  • S Andrew Wingard: QUESTIONABLE
  • WR Christian Kirk: OUT
  • OL Ezra Cleveland: OUT
  • DT Maason Smith: OUT

Analysis: The Jaguars enter their Week 9 matchup with the Eagles bruised and battered.

Starters, wide receiver Christian Kirk and left guard Ezra Cleveland, and backup defensive tackle, rookie Maason Smith, were officially ruled out Friday, although Kirk was previously ruled out for the season with a broken collarbone by Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson on Monday.

Pederson called Jacksonville starting running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder), and right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) game-time decisions against Philadelphia on Friday.

Additionally, running back Keilan Robinson and safety Andrew Wingard, who are both designated to return from the injured reserve but have not yet been activated, enter the weekend questionable.

Eagles injury report

  • TE Albert Okwuegbunam (abdomen) — full
  • OT Mekhi Becton (concussion) — full
  • OG Landon Dickerson (knee) — full*
  • DT Jalen Carter (shoulder) — full
  • TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) — did not practice
  • CB Darius Slay (groin) — did not practice

Eagles game statuses

  • TE Dallas Goedert: OUT
  • CB Darius Slay: OUT

Analysis: The Eagles will be without two starters on Sunday, tight end Dallas Goedert and cornerback. Neither player practiced during the week.

While they were full participants Friday, left guard Landon Dickerson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter did not practice Wednesday but saw their statuses upgrade throughout the week. Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton began the week limited in practice and ended as a full participant.

Pederson issues ‘day-to-day’ tags for handful of Jaguars injuries

Pederson issues ‘day-to-day’ tags for handful of Jaguars injuries

The Jaguars are banged up ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. They are navigating injuries to six starters suffered in Jacksonville’s Sunday loss to the Green Bay Packers, to pair with starting running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) missing the team’s last two games.

Cornerback Ronald Darby (hip), wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder), and offensive guards Brandon Scherff (knee) and Ezra Cleveland (ankle) evaded long-term injury in Week 8.

However, most of the group enters Week 9 “day-to-day,” per Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson.

“Darby’s good, Darby will be out there. [Thomas], we’ve just got to wait and see. He’s going to be day-to-day. Gabe’s going to be day-to-day. [Scherff is] day-to-day. Ezra, day-to-day, ankle. We’ll see how he is at the end of the week,” Pederson said.

The sixth starter to go down against the Packers, wide receiver Christian Kirk, suffered a season-ending broken collarbone, which was reported late Sunday.

Pederson suggested Etienne, who the head coach considered a game-time decision for each of Jacksonville’s last two games, is inching closer to returning to play this week.

“Yeah, should get him back,” Pederson said. “Looking forward to getting him out there and getting some reps, see how he feels.”

As Jacksonville kicks off its week of practice before facing Philadelphia, Pederson said the Jaguars are leaning on the development of their roster depth this past offseason as they manage their battered lineup.

“Next man up. I mean honestly, it’s easy as that,” Pederson said. “You know, the games are still going to come and the league is still going to continue on, and we’re going to continue on.

“We’ve got to coach. That’s why we develop guys in the offseason, you know, for opportunities like this. So, whether it’s a young player, a rookie, a vet or a practice squad elevation, we’re going to continue to coach everybody and get them prepared for each week.”