What happened to Evan Engram? Jaguars HC reveals TE to undergo season-ending surgery
The news of Evan Engram's season-ending surgery can shake through the Jacksonville Jaguars' organization. A torn labrum means the tight end's 2023 campaign has come to an abrupt and painful conclusion.
Evan Engram is the Jaguars' star tight end, known for his consistent performance and crucial role in the team's offensive strategy. Head coach Doug Pederson has been tracking the player's injury since last Sunday's game against Tennessee.
Pederson confirmed the devastating news during a Friday morning press conference at the Jaguars' facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
"Next man up," Pederson said. "Brenton (Strange), Luke (Farrell), Josiah (Deguara), the entire offense, that's what you've got to do. You've just got to rally and have that next man up mentality".
The injury is part of a larger narrative of misfortune for the Jaguars. Evan Engram joins quarterback Trevor Lawrence and receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis on the season-ending injury list. The team has now lost a combined total of 31 games from offensive starters.
Evan Engram and a season of setbacks
Engram's stats tell the story of a player battling through challenges. He finishes the season with 47 catches for 365 yards and one touchdown. This marks a significant drop from his franchise-record 114 catches in 2023.
The tight end missed four games earlier this season due to a hamstring injury. His latest setback—a torn labrum—came during the first half of last Sunday's victory over Tennessee.
Brenton Strange will now take a more prominent role in the Jaguars' passing game. The second-year tight end has previously filled in during Evan Engram's earlier injury absence.
Engram's three-year journey with the Jaguars has been marked by impressive consistency. He's accumulated 234 catches for 2,094 yards and nine touchdowns during his tenure.
The injury raises questions about Engram's future in Jacksonville. With one year left on his contract and an uncertain $14.75 million base salary, his role remains uncertain.
Despite the challenges, Engram has been a leader on and off the field. His commitment to the team and particularly to quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been unwavering.