Jacksonville designated Kirk for return from IR on Wednesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Contemplating that is the first week Kirk could return to practice, the 2022 free company addition being prepared this quickly represents a considerably shocking growth.
The previous Cardinals second-rounder was believed to want extra restoration time. With the Jags in peril of lacking the playoffs, they are going to see how their slot goal seems forward of a win-and-in Week 18 showdown. The Jaguars will face the Titans on Sunday. A win would give them a second straight division title for the primary time for the reason that franchise’s back-to-back AFC Central crowns in 1998 and ’99. The crew may have some harm timetables to interrupt proper to have shot at hanging onto this hope.
Whereas the Jags have been capable of win with out Kirk, Zay Jones and Trevor Lawrence, they confronted the Panthers in Week 17. Though the Titans haven’t gained a sport within the AFC South this season, they symbolize a extra formidable impediment in comparison with Carolina. Lawrence didn’t apply final week, missing his first NFL game, and Jones has not performed since Week 15.
Kirk went down within the first half of the Jags’ additional time loss to the Bengals. Illustrating Kirk’s influence, Jacksonville (9-7) entered that Monday night time sport 8-3. Whereas Lawrence’s run of setbacks has impacted the Jags throughout this span as effectively, the crew has struggled offensively for many of the previous month with out its $18M-per-year go catcher. After his first 1,000-yard season, Kirk was on tempo for a second earlier than the harm. He compiled 787 yards on 57 receptions, scoring three touchdowns in his second Jaguars season.
The Jags defeating the Titans would guarantee two AFC South groups qualify for the playoffs, with Saturday night time’s Colts-Texans matchup a win-and-in sport. If Tennessee upsets Jacksonville, the winner of the Houston-Indianapolis matchup would declare the division title. Lawrence’s availability will likely be paramount for the Jags, and the prospect of Kirk being again as effectively would bolster their possibilities of salvaging their season with a playoff berth.
