Tag: Christian Kirk

Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk limited in Wednesday practice

The Jaguars had both Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk back on the practice field Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report is looking a lot smaller with the end of the regular season just days away and the team is getting close to having arguably its two most important offensive players back on the field.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones were all limited in the team’s Wednesday practice ahead of a Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Lawrence, 24, is working to come back from a shoulder sprain he suffered in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After missing all three practices last week, the quarterback was forced to miss the first game of his NFL career.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Jaguars activated the 21-day practice window for Kirk, who is still technically on injured reserve after suffering a core muscle injury in December. The receiver revealed after his first practice in about a month that he had been dealing with a partial tear since October.

The Jaguars were without Jones in Weeks 16 and 17 due to a hamstring injury.

For the Titans, it was a much lengthier injury report ahead of the regular season finale.

Will Levis, a second-round rookie, has started nine games for the Titans this season, but exited the team’s Week 17 game with a foot injury. If he can’t play Sunday, the Titans would turn to Ryan Tannehill to start in what may be his last game with the team.

 

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Jaguars open Christian Kirk’s 21-day window to return from IR

The return of Christian Kirk is underway.

The return of Christian Kirk is underway for the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Wednesday, the team officially opened the 21-day window for the wide receiver to return from the injured reserve.

Kirk, 27, was the Jaguars’ leading receiver when he landed on IR in early December after suffering a core muscle injury in a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After surgery to repair the issue, Kirk wasted no time rehabbing the injury for a potential return.

“He’s doing really well,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said of Kirk on Monday. “Yes, I would say there’s a potential to activate his window come Wednesday. We’ll see where he’s at there in a couple of days, which would be positive if he could do something this week.”

The Jaguars can move Kirk to the active roster anytime before Jan. 24, making him available for games.

Without Kirk in the lineup, the Jacksonville passing offense has faltered. Reasons for the struggles have included shoddy offensive line play, an accumulation of injuries for Trevor Lawrence, and poor decision-making, at times.

But the absence of Kirk seems to have exacerbated the issue of frequent miscommunication between Lawrence and his receivers.

It’s unclear for now if Kirk has a chance at playing in the team’s Week 18 regular season finale against the Tennessee Titans. It looks like that return is coming sooner rather than later, though.

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Christian Kirk ‘doing really well,’ may return to practice this week

Christian Kirk may make his return to the field as early as this week.

The Jacksonville Jaguars may get an important offensive piece back soon. On Monday, head coach Doug Pederson said wide receiver Christian Kirk could be back on the practice field as early as Wednesday.

“He’s doing really well,” Pederson said of Kirk on Monday. “Yes, I would say there’s a potential to activate his window come Wednesday. We’ll see where he’s at there in a couple of days, which would be positive if he could do something this week.”

Kirk, 27, suffered a core muscle injury on the Jaguars’ first offensive play in a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury required surgery and, according to media reports, was expected to keep the receiver out 6-8 weeks.

“It was definitely a bad injury for him and bad for our offense,” Pederson said. “He’s in a position right now to maybe help us this week and we’ll see where he’s at. If we go ahead and open his window on Wednesday and get him out there, see what he can do. You definitely want your best players on the field this time of year and he’s one of those players for us.”

Prior to the injury, Kirk was the Jaguars’ leading receiver. While Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram have both passed Kirk’s receiving total, he still has 57 receptions for 787 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.

Without Kirk in the offense, the Jaguars offense has struggled to avoid turnovers which have often stemmed from miscommunications between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his receivers.

If Kirk’s window to return from injured reserve is opened Wednesday, the receiver will be allowed to practice with the team for as many as 21 days without counting against the 53-man roster limit. Jacksonville could activate Kirk and move him to the active roster at any time during that window.

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Six points with David Dorey

Looking at the 2024 free agent running backs

So here we are on the brink of fantasy championships for one person in every league. But next year should already be in your head. The changes from season to the next can be dramatic, even if we draft like the previous season is going to repeat.

Like every year, plenty of fantasy starters were left behind during the season. Here are my top six injured players and what to think about them entering next season. I have excluded quarterbacks who all appear likely to return healthy for next year. Those include Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson.

  1. TE Mark Andrews (BAL) 2023 ADP = No. 2 TE, Pick 4.03
     Suffered a cracked fibula and ankle ligament injury in Week 11 thanks to a hip-drop tackle. He is expected to be healed early enough to potentially join the Ravens in the playoffs. He is not returning for the regular season but will be assessed later for a potential return in late January. That’s great news for a tight end that’s become Top-2 when healthy.
  2. RB Nick Chubb (CLE) 2023 ADP = No. 5 TE , Pick 1.11
    The star running back suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 2. He tore his ACL , MCL, and meniscus. He needed surgery for the MCL and meniscus and a separate procedure to repair the ACL. He is expected to return “during the 2024 season.” Doctors say that he has extensive rehab to go through, but so far, the surgeries are over, and he’s progressing according to play. He was injured so early in the season, that he’ll have plenty of rehab by the opening of the 2024 NFL season. He’ll likely open the year on IR and be a high risk/high reward draft pick.
  3. TE T.J. Hockenson (MIN) 2023 ADP = No. 3 TE, Pick 4.12
    He just tore his MCL and ACL last week when he was hit low by a defender. The injury is fresh enough that his prognosis and recovery are still in progress but the injury was severe enough that it’s reasonable to assume he will not be ready for the start of the 2024 season with only about eight months to heal. He’ll be another elite player who won’t show up until later in the season and present a risky pick that can win – or lose – your league.
  4. Christian Kirk (JAC) 2023 ADP = No. 28 WR, Pick 4.09
    The Jaguars wideout was lost in Week 13 when he suffered a core muscle injury in Week 13. He was placed on injured reserve and required surgery, which will keep him out even if the Jaguars made a deep run in the playoffs. Kirk’s situation becomes further complicated because he’s owed $24 million next year, but the Jags have an out they can take in the offseason. He may end up re-signing on a restructured deal or could be released.
  5. WR Mike Williams (LAC) 2023 ADP= No. 26 WR, Pick 5.03
    The Chargers wideout tore his ACL in Week 3 after rolling up 110 yards and a score on the Vikings. He was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery to repair the knee. He is expected back next season, but he, too, has his situation complicated by his contract. He’ll turn 30 next year and has been often dinged up in his seven-year career. He is due $20 million next year, but the Chargers have an out they can use in the offseason. He is another player that will either restructure his contract or be released. 
  6. WR Tank Dell (HOU) 2023 ADP = NA, Free Agent
    The Texan’s third-round pick was just a 5-10, 165-pound wideout who carried minimal expectations as a rookie, but he was on a pace to end with a stat line of 80-1205-12 but broke his fibula while blocking in Week 12. He underwent surgery but is expected to return sometime during the Texans’ offseason program. He should rebound 100% from the injury and merit drafting as a fantasy starter.

 

About Last Night…

New York Jets 20, Cleveland 37 

Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know, Thursday night games are sloppy and low-scoring. Two of the best defenses were meeting and both teams were on their third quarterback of the year. So naturally, they throw down 57 total points.

Trevor Siemian passed for 261 yards and one touchdown to Breece Hall who caught nine passes for 42 yards. Garrett Wilson (5-50) and Tyler Conklin (5-45) were the top receivers. Hall rushed for 84 yards on 13 rushes but the Jets had to abandon the run when they trailed 34-17 at halftime. 

Joe Flacco was without Amari Cooper, so expectations were even lower going against the No. 2 defense versus quarterbacks. And so he threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns. David Njoku (6-134) had a monster performance and Elijah Moore (5-61, TD) scored before leaving with a concussion. Jerome Ford blew up with 12 runs for 64 yards and two catches for 57 yards – both touchdowns. Kareem Hunt (10-31, TD) took the rushing score.

Both teams returned an interception for a touchdown. But this game only furthers the question – why was Joe Flacco sitting at home until Week 13?

Aggies in the NFL: Where to watch in Week 16 of the NFL Schedule

See where all your favorite Aggies are playing during the 16th Sunday and Monday of the 2023 NFL regular season.

Week 16 of the 2023 NFL Season saw the surging Los Angeles Rams defeat the New Orleans Saints 30-22 on Thursday night, resembling a team that should scare every top NFL opponent come Playoff time.

Behind the arm of veteran quarterback Matt Stafford (24/34, 328 yards, 2 TDS), the Rams won their 8th game of the year while breakout wide receiver Puka Nacua notched his sixth 100-plus yard receiving game of the year, recording 164 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Concerning the Aggies in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike didn’t stuff the stat sheet but did record one sack, bringing his total to 12 on the year.

As we do every week during the regular season, plenty of Aggies are well-represented within the NFL, including some of the best players on both sides of the ball. Here are the matchups, game times, and broadcasting information for several Aggies playing in the NFL this Sunday and Monday.

Jaguars open Jamal Agnew’s 21-day window to return from IR

Jamal Agnew will be back on the practice field this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew will be back on the practice field this week after his 21-day window to return from injured reserve was opened Wednesday morning.

Agnew, 28, landed on IR in November after suffering a shoulder injury in the Jaguars’ 34-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

In Agnew’s absence, which was coupled with the loss of Christian Kirk due to a core muscle injury, the Jaguars have leaned on rookie Parker Washington as a punt returner and slot receiver. In the past two weeks, Washington has eight receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

So far this season, Agnew has averaged 10.6 yards per punt return and 27.7 yards on kick returns. On offense, he has added nine receptions for 90 yards.

Agnew earned All-Pro honors during his rookie season with the Detroit Lions and earned a Pro Bowl nod for the first time last season with the Jaguars.

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Trevor Lawrence says Jaguars have to take accountability for miscues

Trevor Lawrence says Jaguars players have to hold themselves and their teammates accountable for costly mistakes.

Trevor Lawrence knows he didn’t have a great game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. While he finished with three touchdown passes, it was his three interceptions that proved too much to overcome in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 31-27 loss.

How many of those picks are his fault is tough to say, though. Two looked like a direct consequence of miscommunication with his veteran receivers, Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. After the game, Lawrence didn’t want to rehash the errors that caused the turnovers, but he made it clear that they’ll be readdressed behind closed doors.

“We have to take accountability and fix it,” Lawrence said. “It starts with me, starts with my communication with all the guys. The outside, the front, the backfield. And we will, I am not concerned. This group is really mature and is willing to go whatever to win and to get better. We’ll fix it.”

“I think we are at that point in the year where we have all had conversations, just a group. Some of the leadership guys on the team, there has to be accountability. It’s never pointing the finger. We all have enough today to look back on and say we didn’t play well individually. Collectively, obviously we didn’t.”

There are issues on both sides of the ball that will need to be ironed out with the playoffs a month away. The Jacksonville defense, which was carrying the team to victories earlier in the year, gave up 880 yards and 65 points in losses to the Bengals and Browns, despite both teams being led by backups. The hobbled Jaguars offense turned the ball over four times in Cleveland.

“We have to get on the same page,” Lawrence said. “I’m making some mistakes out there as well, so I’m not just pointing the finger at other people, but there has to be accountability. Our guys do a good job in responding. If something needs to be said, I’ll say it to them.

“Whether that’s on the field. I try to do it in the most respectful way, because I never want to look like I’m pointing the finger, but also there’s stuff that needs to be fixed and same thing for those guys to come and talk to me. If I’m not doing something right, if they think that I’m going to put the ball here and I put the ball there, we have to clean that up. It’s full circle and those guys understand that.”

The loss of Christian Kirk to a core muscle injury that required surgery has played a significant factor in the Jaguars offense’s difficulties. A hard look in the mirror in his absence will need to happen if the team hopes to get back on track.

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Christian Kirk’s absence is looming large for the Jaguars

Only 18 of the 43 passes thrown to Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones in the last two weeks have been caught. Three were interceptions.

Jacksonville Jaguars players and head coach Doug Pederson all said the same thing Sunday after a 31-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns: of course they miss Christian Kirk, but winning without him is a puzzle they better solve quick.

When Kirk went down on the first offensive play against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jaguars didn’t just lose their leading receiver — the wide receiving corps also lost its leader and Lawrence lost his most trusted target. With Kirk now on injured reserve following surgery on his injured core muscle, those are holes that won’t be filled any time soon.

“There’s no excuses; nobody cares,” Lawrence said Sunday. “That’s the thing about this league. No one really cares who you are missing. There are a lot of teams who are missing players at this point in the season, but 100 percent [we] miss Christian. He’s one of our best players.

“He makes a huge impact on this offense and this team. Of course you miss him, but Christian is on IR, we have to find a way to still win games without him. That’s not going to change in the next few weeks.”

The absence has been glaring on the field. In the Jaguars’ back-to-back losses, Calvin Ridley has been targeted 21 times for only eight receptions. That included a pass from Lawrence that zipped past Ridley’s head for an interception Sunday when the receiver wasn’t looking for the ball.

Another 22 passes were thrown to Zay Jones, only 10 of which were caught. Against the Browns, Jones finished with just 29 receiving targets despite being targeted 14 times.

“You can’t really replace [Kirk], but it’s still the next man up mentality and we didn’t get it done today,” Jones said. “That includes myself, I didn’t play well enough today.”

Even the high ankle sprain suffered by Lawrence likely could’ve been avoided if Kirk was on the field. While rookie receiver Parker Washington has played well in the veteran’s absence, it was the sixth-round pick’s mistake that had Lawrence lunging out of position and under the foot of offensive tackle Walker Little.

“Obviously, we miss Christian,” Pederson said Sunday. “He was a big part of the offense. But where we are in the season, this late, it’s the next man up mentality, so we’ve got to continue as coaches to prepare our players and get those guys ready to go regardless of who’s in there.”

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Watch: Christian Kirk is already rehabbing just days after surgery

Christian Kirk wasted no time getting on the road to recovery.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk landed on injured reserve Friday after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury suffered in Week 13. He’s wasting no time getting on the road back to the field, though.

On Saturday, Kirk posted videos on his Instagram story that showed he’s already begun the process of rehabbing his way back from the injury.

Kirk, 28, was injured on the Jaguars’ first offensive play during a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran receiver went down without contact on a 26-yard reception before slowly making his way to the locker room.

A day later, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said that the injury would likely need surgery. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that kind of surgery typically comes with a 6-8 week recovery which will presumably end his 2023 regular season. However, it’s possible that Kirk could return in time to play in the postseason.

With five games left in the season, Kirk leads the Jaguars in receiving yards with 787. Last year, he led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

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Aggies in the NFL: Where to watch in Week 14 of the NFL Schedule

See where all your favorite Aggies are playing during the 14th Sunday and Monday of the 2023 NFL regular season.

Week 14 of the NFL season was more entertaining than many of us anticipated, as the 2-10 New England Patriots traveled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night and looked competent on offense for the first time all season. While Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett would miss the game due to injury, backup Mitch Trubisky struggled throughout the game.

On the other side, Patriots backup Bailey Zappe, who has now started the last two games, out-dueled Trubisky, throwing for 240 yards and three touchdowns, while former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott accounted for 140 yards and a touchdown in his best game as Patriot to date.

Even though the Steelers had a chance to win or tie the game in the final seconds, Trubisky chose to take a 50/50 deep shot on 4th & 2 instead of simply converting with a short pass, leading to a 21-18 Patriots victory.

As we do every week during the regular season, plenty of Aggies are well-represented within the NFL, including some of the best players on both sides of the ball. Here are the matchups, game times, and broadcasting information for several Aggies playing in the NFL this Sunday and Monday.