Christian Kirk might have gone from being on the trading block to the injury list in just one play on Sunday.
Kirk seemed to dislocate his left shoulder while attempting to catch a long pass during the fourth quarter of a 30-27 defeat to Green Bay.
He was one of six Jaguars players injured in the game, which included all three starting wide receivers. Gabe Davis also hurt his shoulder, and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. left the game late due to a chest injury.
Kirk’s injury looks to be the most serious. He was seen wearing a sling when he exited the locker room. This injury could also affect his future in Jacksonville. The seventh-year veteran has one year left on his four-year, $72 million contract and has been part of trade talks for weeks.
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, ever been around, one of the smartest players I’ve been around,” tight end Evan Engram said. “One of the best leaders I’ve been around.
“You saw him cut up today, too. He was rolling. He was getting going. Just a very unfortunate event. God doesn’t make mistakes; there’s a plan. … He’ll be just fine.”
The Jaguars (2-6) also lost cornerback Ronald Darby (hip) and guards Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and Brandon Scherff (knee). Scherff was the only one who managed to return to the game.
Jacksonville has now lost 11 of its last 14 games. Trevor Lawrence brought the team back from a 10-point deficit late in the game after making two turnovers, but the defense fell apart in critical moments for the third time this season.
With Jordan Love (groin) watching from the sidelines and backup Malik Willis in the game, the Jaguars needed to make one stop to regain possession or force the game into overtime. On a second-and-6 play from the 34, Willis connected with Jayden Reed for a 51-yard gain.
The Jaguars fell for the run fake, leaving Reed wide open. They tried to let the Packers score two plays later, but Chris Brooks fell to the ground, which set up Brandon McManus’ 24-yard field goal that ended up being the difference in the game.
“This one is definitely going to hurt because I feel like we had a great game defensively, special teams, offensively,” defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “I think we all made big plays when we needed them the most, but we didn’t get this victory. This one really hurts.”
Coach Doug Pederson added, “They’re devastated. They’re heartbroken. They’ve battled their tails off. They fought until the end, quite frankly. That’s all I can ask for. But I also want them to understand too that these games come down to about two plays, three plays.”
Pederson pointed out Lawrence’s fumble at the 5-yard line in the fourth quarter that allowed an easy touchdown for the Packers and his interception in the second quarter that led to another touchdown.
“Definitely affected the game, so it’s disappointing,” said Lawrence, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 308 yards. “Playing quarterback in this league, if you don’t play well, you’re not probably going to have a great chance to win.”
Losing six starters doesn’t help the situation either. Pederson did not give any updates on their short-term outlook.
“We can’t be totally dejected by the result today,” Lawrence said. “I do think we’ve come a long way, and we are continuing to come together and become a better team. But we got to find a way to win next week.
All the work is not in vain. We’ve come a long way, and we just have to go find a way to win.”
