Big Cat Country
In the aftermath of Monday night’s incredible, come-from-behind Jacksonville Jaguars victory over the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs, news of standout third-year tight end Brenton Strange’s in-game injury, potentially keeping him out for a bit, lingered. On Tuesday, the team confirmed those rumors, officially placing the dominant blocker and team-leading receiver on Injured Reserve with a hip/quad injury.
Per Ryan O’Halloran, Strange struggled to even get out of his locker room chair late Monday night following the game, with Cameron Wolfe reporting that Strange wasn’t optimistic on his injury status Monday night.
Entering Week 5, Strange was Jacksonville’s receiving leader in catches and second in receiving yards. He left the week 5 matchup after a non-contact injury with what was reported as a hip injury, after running a second-quarter route. Strange has 20 catches for 204 yards on the year, averaging 10.2 yards per reception, and will now be out for the next four games. A player on the Injured Reserve (IR) list must miss a minimum of four games (not four weeks) before they become eligible to return to the active roster. Jacksonville will face the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams (London), Las Vegas Raiders (in Vegas), and the Texans (in Houston). Brenton would be able to return as early as the team’s week 11, Nov. 16th, Los Angeles Chargers home matchup.
Strange’s presence in the run game will be most missed, as he was quickly becoming known around the league as one of the best all-around tight end prospects, with recent league-wide attention on his physical blocking.
Entering the season, the tight end depth was widely considered one of the teams’ biggest question marks, after the team moved on from Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram. However, Brenton’s early season play quickly shored up those concerns. Free agents Hunter Long, Johnny Mundt, and Quinton Morris will all have an opportunity to step up during Strange’s absence. After Strange’s second-quarter exit, Long and Mundt combined for two catches on two targets for 10 yards.
The team also announced a reunion, welcoming back receiver and special teams ace Tim Jones, signing him to the practice squad while also releasing WR Erik Ezukanma from the practice squad. Per the team release:
“Jones played his first four seasons in the NFL with Jacksonville after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2021. After spending his rookie year on practice squad, Jones played in every game for the Jaguars from 2022-24, appearing in 51 games and making three starts. He totaled 17 receptions for 154 yards as well as six tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams during his first stint in Jacksonville. Jones joined the Vikings this offseason and played two games before being waived.”
