Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder, head coach Doug Pederson announced Friday morning.
Engram, who had already missed four games earlier this season with a hamstring injury, sustained the shoulder injury during the first half of last Sunday’s 10-6 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Despite initial hopes that he could return for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, further MRI scans revealed the full extent of the damage, making surgery inevitable.
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This marks a disappointing end to a challenging season for Engram, who finishes with 47 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown-a significant drop from his franchise-record 114 receptions in 2023.
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Engram’s absence adds to Jacksonville’s mounting offensive woes, as he becomes the fourth starter to be ruled out for the season. The Jaguars are already missing wide receiver Christian Kirk (broken collarbone), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (concussion/shoulder). Combined, these key players will have missed a total of 31 games by the end of the season.
Head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged the impact of losing Engram but emphasized the “next man up” mentality. Second-year tight end Brenton Strange is expected to take on a more prominent role in the Jaguars‘ offense, alongside Luke Farrell and Josiah Deguara.
“Brenton has been working hard all year, and this is his chance to step up,” said Pederson. “We’ve faced adversity before, and our team has shown the ability to adapt. It’s all about staying focused and moving forward.”
A tough break in a promising season
Engram’s injury comes as the Jaguars were pushing for a playoff spot, making his absence even more significant. Known for his versatility and reliability, Engram had been a key piece of Jacksonville’s offensive strategy since signing with the team in 2022.
Despite the setbacks, the Jaguars remain determined to stay competitive as they look to younger players like Brenton Strange to fill the void. With the playoff race heating up, the team will need every ounce of resilience to overcome these challenges and keep their postseason hopes alive.
