The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a significant setback in Week 2 when tight end Evan Engram was sidelined with a hamstring injury before their game against the Cleveland Browns even kicked off.
The immediate concern now is the duration of Engram’s absence, given his crucial role as both a top player and offensive captain for the team.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson provided an update on Monday, explaining that Engram experienced discomfort in his hamstring during pregame warm-ups. “Evan was out there stretching and preparing for the game, but he felt something in his hamstring,” Pederson said. “It was severe enough to prevent him from playing. We’ll evaluate his condition throughout this week. While we remain hopeful, hamstring injuries can be unpredictable, so it’s currently a week-to-week situation.”
Engram has been a standout performer in the NFL over the past two seasons, ranking among the league’s most productive and frequently targeted tight ends. This year, he was also named a team captain for the first time since joining the Jaguars.
His absence is a significant blow to the team’s offense, as he has been a key emotional and on-field leader. Pederson acknowledged the impact of losing a player of Engram’s caliber. “Losing someone like Evan can definitely deflate the team a bit. He’s a leader, a starter, and a captain. It’s a major loss. We could have lost him at any point during the game, so we need to continue playing,” Pederson remarked. “It’s crucial not to let this situation affect us too much. We’re obviously disappointed for Evan, but we have to look forward and adapt. Our mentality remains ‘next man up,’ and that’s what we’ll stick to.”
In Engram’s absence, second-year tight end Brenton Strange stepped up significantly. Strange delivered a standout performance, recording three receptions for 65 yards and coming close to making a game-winning catch on a Hail Mary attempt. “Brenton played exceptionally well,” Pederson commented. “He was tough, physical, and made some great catches. We’ve seen glimpses of his potential in practice, and it was great to see him perform like that in the game with Evan out.”
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