Jaguars Promote Rookie Giles-Harris to Active Roster Following Linebacker Injuries
The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) came out of Week 7 with a 27-17 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but it did not come without a cost as the Jaguars had two different linebackers leave the game with injuries.
And while the extent of injuries to starting weakside linebacker Najee Goode (foot) and backup D.J. Alexander (foot) have yet to be disclosed, the Jaguars have made a roster move at the position, promoting undrafted rookie linebacker Joe Giles-Harris to the active roster on Monday.
To make room on the roster, the Jaguars waived second-year CB Parry Nickerson, who they signed to the active roster from the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on Thursday, the team announced. Jacksonville also released QB Chase Litton from the practice squad.
"Giles-Harris, 6-2, 234, was on the Jaguars’ practice squad from Weeks 1-7 after spending training camp and the offseason program with the team," the Jaguars said in a release. "He attended Duke and played in 34 games for the Blue Devils, compiling 312 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery."
Jacksonville now has two open spots on their practice squad following the promotion of Giles-Harris and the release of Litton.
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone addressed the banged-up linebacker group when he spoke on a conference call Monday, noting the team is still awaiting final answers on injuries sustained Sunday.
"I thought those guys were ready, it was getting tough there for a while, guys were getting hurt. Most of it is just soft tissue stuff we're still waiting to hear," Marrone said.
"Most of it -- kind of turf related injuries. Which is unfortunate. Trying to figure out how I can do a better job for our players, I mean -- that type of turf was tough."
As for what other moves the Jaguars could make moving forward, Marrone indicated the team will likely bring in a few linebackers to, at minimum, workout for the team as they keep their options open.
"So we'll look, we'll probably bring in some guys just to make sure we're working out in case some of these guys are out maybe a little bit longer," Marrone said. Just kind of that same type of mentality of the next guy out. If we have to do that, hopefully not, just playing through it. Injuries are part of it, unfortunately."
