The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a significant setback just an hour before Week 2, losing a key offensive player. Coach Doug Pederson provided an update on tight end Evan Engram’s hamstring injury, suggesting he might be out for a while longer.
“Evan is a bit further away right now, so we’ll take it day by day,” Pederson said.
Engram injured himself during warmups before the Jaguars’ game against the Cleveland Browns, leading to his late scratch from the lineup.
In Engram’s absence, second-year tight end Brenton Strange stepped up, recording three catches for 65 yards on a career-high six targets.
Engram’s availability for the upcoming Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills remains uncertain, which is concerning for a Jaguars offense averaging only 15 points per game.
Engram has been crucial to the Jaguars’ offense and serves as a team captain, often providing emotional support and leadership.
“Evan is a huge part of our offense and our team. He brings a lot of energy and intensity,” said quarterback Trevor Lawrence. “We’re missing a significant piece, but great teams find a way to adapt, and Brenton did an excellent job.”
From 2022 to 2023, Engram ranked among the top tight ends, placing No. 10 in touchdowns, No. 4 in receiving yards, No. 2 in receptions, No. 6 in yards per game, and No. 3 in targets.
In 2023, he caught 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns, making him the eighth tight end in the Super Bowl era to surpass 100 receptions in a season.
When he returns, Engram has the chance to become only the second tight end in NFL history to achieve 40 receptions in each of his first eight seasons, joining Jeremy Shockey, needing just 39 more receptions to do so.
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