Jacksonville Jaguars sign injured first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr., the team announced Tuesday.
Fowler, the third pick of the first round in this year's draft, tore his ACL in the Jaguars' first minicamp on Friday and will miss the entire 2015 season. Despite the injury, the team gave him the maximum possible deal, according to Mike Garofolo of Fox Sports.
“We are excited to get Dante under contract,” Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said in a statement. “Negotiations with Dante’s representatives were ongoing prior to his injury last weekend and nothing has changed. His attitude and spirit that he has shown recently are part of the reasons we selected him third overall. He understands the process ahead of him and is willing to do the work."
Fowler said that he plans on using his injury rehab stint to his advantage.
“My focus right now is solely on getting better each and every day and attacking my rehab with the same mindset as a pass rusher. I have only been around the organization for less than a week and it’s been amazing to see the support of my teammates, coaches and staff members," Fowler said. "I’m going to use my time this year to get stronger, faster and be ready to help my teammates on the field in 2016."
Fowler, a 6'3'', 267-pound defensive end, recorded 60 tackles and 8.5 sacks playing outside linebacker at Florida last season.
• MMQB: Fowler Jr. injury's effect on Jaguars
- Jeremy Woo
