Jaguars Sign Akeem Spence, Place Marcell Dareus on Injured Reserve
A day after starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus underwent surgery in Philadelphia for a core muscle injury, the Jacksonville Jaguars have placed the anchor of their interior defensive line on the injured/reserve list.
The team announced they have signed veteran journeyman defensive tackle Akeem Spence to take Dareus' place on the roster.
Spence, a seventh-year veteran, was most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles before being cut earlier this week.
"Spence, 6-1, 303, was originally drafted in the fourth round (100th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, where he played in all 16 games in three of four seasons, tallying 98 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and added three fumble recoveries," the Jaguars said in a release.
Following his stop in Tampa Bay, Spence spent a year apiece with the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Spence totaled a career-high-tying 3.0 sacks with the Lions and started all 16 games of the 2018 season for the Dolphins.
Spence had played 42% of the Eagles' defensive snaps this season before he was released following the team's Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In six games with the Eagles, Spence totaled seven total tackles and did not register a tackle for loss, sack or quarterback hit.
Second-year defensive tackle Taven Bryan is still expected to be Dareus' immediate replacement. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash said on Thursday that Bryan, who has had a strong sophomore season, would start against the New York Jets in Week 8.
If Dareus were to be designated to return from the injured/reserve list, he will be eligible to return in Week 16, essentially ending his season if Jacksonville does not go on a playoff run.
