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The first big injury of the preseason is in the books, just before teams begin their training camps. Jerry Porter, Jacksonville’s highest-priced offseason addition, has undergone surgery on a bad hamstring. The injury could keep him out for the first few games of the regular season.
The Times-Union in Jacksonville has the story. Their writer, Michael C. Wright, speculates that the Jaguars will adjust by moving Reggie Williams into their No. 1 receiver role, with Dennis Northcutt being elevated from the No. 3 role back into the starting lineup. Northcutt was not effective as a starter last year, averaging 45 yards per game, with 3 TDs in the 12 games he started. Northcutt had a huge drop in the playoff loss at New England – a clanker that would have tied the game 21-21.
Porter signed a $30 million contract (over six years) in the offseason, with $10 million guaranteed. He was expected to be the team’s main receiving target.
Other receivers could still challenge for starting jobs here – Northcutt is more of a backup-type player, and Williams is velocity challenged. Troy Williamson had great speed but dropped way too many passes in Minnesota; if he can get his game dialed in, he’ll be a factor. Mike Walker (a third-round pick who was hurt all of his rookie year) could be a factor. And John Broussard is also a possibility.
Matt Jones was arrested last week and charged with felony drug possession after police say they caught him in a parking lot in Arkansas with cocaine. He’s unlikely to be a factor.
The read Wright’s story, click here.
—Ian Allan
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