Jaguars Have Discussed D.J. Chark Extension
D.J. Chark‘s contract year has not started well, with the veteran wide receiver on IR. But the Jaguars have discussed the prospect of keeping him around beyond this season.
A fractured ankle sustained last week landed Chark on IR and clouds his future, but Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports notes the team held internal discussions about extending the fourth-year pass catcher this season. Chark formed a bond with Trevor Lawrence this offseason, per Jones, who adds the current regime — despite inheriting Chark — discussed a possible extension in order to develop some continuity after the franchise could not solidify long-term partnerships with Jalen Ramsey or Yannick Ngakoue.
A former second-round pick, Chark is the only Jaguar to clear 1,000 receiving yards in any of the past six seasons. The LSU product did so in 2019. Chark, 25, did not approach the 1,000-yard barrier last season, but his 706 yards — in 13 games — still led a woeful Jacksonville outfit.
The Jags have Laviska Shenault and Marvin Jones signed beyond this season, and Chark’s status has changed due to the ankle setback. This has continued a recent pattern for the productive wideout. Chark missed time last season for three different injuries and underwent finger surgery this offseason.
While Chark’s more severe ailment has interfered with his chance to make a pre-free agency statement, the Jags showing interest in another deal is certainly notable — even amid the turmoil engulfing the team’s current top decision-maker. The prospect of a Chark deal also looms as interesting given the unremarkable returns the team’s past two notable receiver re-ups — for Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee — produced.
Jaguars’ Urban Meyer: I Won’t Resign
On Wednesday, Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer told reporters that he hasn’t given any consideration to resigning in recent days (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Meyer also added that he hasn’t been fined by owner Shad Khan, who expressed disappointment with Meyer earlier this week. 
“I have addressed this matter with Urban. Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence. What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable. I appreciate Urban’s remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect,” Khan said in a statement on Tuesday. “That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver.”
Khan says he won’t fire Meyer over the embarrassing viral video, though the standard “good character” clause in coaching contracts could allow him to dump some or all of the obligation. Ultimately, it’d be a matter for an arbitrator to decide with an absolute fortune on the line. Meyer’s contract likely pays ~$10MM/year over the course of five or six years.
Scandal aside, Meyer is off to a terrible start in Jacksonville. They’re now 0-4 to begin the year, giving them 18 consecutive losses as a franchise. And, despite Meyer’s denials, one has to wonder if he’d be interested in the USC vacancy.
Saints Sign RB Devine Ozigbo Off Jaguars’ Practice Squad
The Saints will be down a running back for the new few weeks, so the team is bringing in reinforcement. New Orleans has signed running back Devine Ozigbo off the Jaguars’ practice squad, reports Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).
This is a bit of a homecoming for Ozigbo, as the Nebraska product joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He eventually moved on to Jacksonville, and he spent the next two-plus seasons with the Jaguars organization. He ultimately saw time in 18 games for the team, collecting 93 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. The 25-year-old has also spent a significant amount of time on special teams.
The Saints needed some running back depth following news that Tony Jones Jr. would miss the next three to four weeks (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter). The 23-year-old has seen time in all four games this season, collecting 87 yards from scrimmage on 23 carries. Other than Ozigbo and starter Alvin Kamara, the team’s only other healthy RB is Dwayne Washington (plus versatile wideout Ty Montgomery).
New Orleans might not be done adding to the position. Schefter reports that the team also auditioned a number of veteran RBs today, including Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, and Ryquell Armstead.
Jaguars’ Owner On Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer‘s viral video caught Shad Khan‘s attention. In a statement on Tuesday, the Jaguars owner termed the head coach’s behavior as “inexcusable” (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 
“I have addressed this matter with Urban. Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence. What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable. I appreciate Urban’s remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect,” Khan said. “That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver.”
Meyer apologized to the team on Monday morning, days after their latest loss. His Jaguars are now 0-4 as they prepare for the Titans on Sunday.
“I just apologized to the team and staff for being a distraction,” Meyer said (via ESPN.com). “Just stupid, and so I explained everything that happened and owned it. Just stupid. Should not have myself in that kind of position.”
A loss to the Titans would extend the Jaguars’ losing streak to 19 games.
Jaguars Place DJ Chark On IR
The Jaguars have placed D.J. Chark on the injured reserve list following his ankle fracture. They’ve also done the same with offensive lineman A.J. Cann (knee injury) while activating offensive tackle Walker Little from the COVID-19 list.
Chark’s ankle bent backwards in last week’s game against the Bengals. Afterwards, he was unable to put weight on his leg and ultimately had to be carted off the field.
Chark, a former second-round pick, enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2019, finishing with 1,028 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. His numbers took a step back in 2020, and through the first three games of the 2021 campaign, he hauled in only seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. There’s no word yet on his timetable, but it’ll be a while before he retakes the field. In the meantime, Trevor Lawrence will feed to top receivers Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault.
Cann has spent his entire career with the Jags, serving as a starter in each of his seven seasons. He’s hardly missed time along the way, but his Thursday night injury left him with no other choice.
Now at 0-4, the short-handed Jaguars will try their luck against the Titans this week.
Jets, Jaguars Interested In Josh McCown
The Jets and Jaguars have been keeping tabs on quarterback Josh McCown, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. McCown, who spent time with the Eagles and Texans last season, has been busy coaching his son’s high school team in Texas. 
The 42-year-old has yet to retire from the league, so he could be open to returning at some point. La Canfora hears that the veteran could reemerge by Week 9 or 10, if he finds a suitable situation. Neither the Jets nor the Jaguars profile as contenders at this point, but a winning team could get in the mix if there’s an injury under center.
Long expected to one day move into coaching, McCown served as a de facto assistant for the Eagles last year. Philadelphia added the then-40-year-old passer to its practice squad but, ahead of the league’s initial COVID-19-altered season, used him in a remote capacity. The Texans poached McCown in November of 2020 but released him this past spring.
McCown did not see any action with the Texans last season and has not started a game since filling in for Sam Darnold in 2018. However, he did play the bulk of the 2019 Eagles’ wild-card loss to the Seahawks, after Carson Wentz exited.
A 2002 draftee, McCown has been with a dozen teams — the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, Jets, Eagles and Texans — in his near-two-decade NFL run.
Jaguars WR DJ Chark Suffers Fractured Ankle
The Jaguars lost one of their key offensive weapons tonight. Wide receiver DJ Chark was carted off the field during the first quarter of tonight’s game against the Bengals. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the wideout suffered a fractured ankle, an injury that will surely sideline him for the foreseeable future.
Chark had his ankle awkwardly bent back during a play. He was unable to put weight on his leg and was ultimately carted off the field. After initially being listed as “questionable” to return, the receiver was downgraded to “out.”
The former second-round pick had a breakout campaign in 2019, finishing with 1,028 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. His numbers took a step back in 2020, and through the first three games of the 2021 campaign, he hauled in only seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
Fortunately for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, the passing game can still lean on receivers Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault. The team also activated Tavon Austin today, providing the team with another weapon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DB Luq Barcoo
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: DB Trayvon Henderson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Tim Harris
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: WR Tavon Austin (story)
- Promoted: K Matthew Wright
Jaguars Designate WR Tavon Austin For Return
Tavon Austin‘s debut with the Jaguars could be imminent. The veteran wideout was designated for return from IR today, the team announced.
This move will start a three-week clock. Austin can be activated to the active roster at any point over the next 21 days. If he isn’t activated within that time, Austin will be ineligible to play this year (although this would most likely be avoided by his release).
Austin joined the Jaguars in early August, and the team showed that they intended to keep him around when he survived final cuts. The team subsequently put him on short-term IR due to a quad injury, leading to today’s move.
The veteran hasn’t come close to matching the production from his days with the Rams. Over the past four years, Austin has seen time in 41 games (nine starts), collecting 756 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 110 touches. This included a 2020 campaign when he had only five catches for 20 yards in four games with the Packers.
Jacksonville has a talented grouping of receivers in DJ Chark. Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault, but Austin would provide another savvy target for Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars already prepared for Austin’s return when they moved on from practice squad receiver Phillip Dorsett today.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/27/21
We’ll keep track of today’s taxi squad moves here:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: G Mike Horton
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
- Released: WR Phillip Dorsett (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Blake Brandel