Jalen Ramsey stepping away from Jaguars for birth of second child

E.Jay Zarett

Jalen Ramsey stepping away from Jaguars for birth of second child image

Jalen Ramsey has left the Jaguars "to be with his family" during the birth of his second child, coach Doug Marrone announced Wednesday. 

"Months ago in the offseason, Jalen notified me that he was expecting the birth of his second child in late September," Marrone said in a statement. "We spoke about this recently and again (Wednesday) after practice and decided that it was best for Jalen to fly to Nashville tonight after meetings to be with his family during the birth of their daughter.

"He will return to the team when he's ready, and we will provide an update at that time." 

Ramsey missed a practice earlier this week because of an illness and was held out Wednesday with a back injury. 

The news comes after Ramsey was involved in a heated exchange with Marrone on the sidelines during the team's 13-12 loss to the Texans in Week 2 and requested a trade shortly after the incident. 

Ramsey, however, played in Jacksonville's matchup with the Titans last week, recording nine total tackles in a 20-7 win. 

"I have nothing bad or negative to say about anyone in the building," Ramsey said at a press conference earlier this month. "It is what it is ... I don't want to speak on it or give too much detail. I will let God do his work."

The Jaguars had "no deal in the works to trade" the 24-year-old earlier this week, according to a report from NFL Media. The team is reportedly willing to hold onto Ramsey and "make him the highest-paid cornerback" in the league.

Ramsey was originally selected by the Jaguars out of Florida State with the No. 5 pick in the 2016 draft. The two-time Pro Bowl player has recorded nine interceptions and 45 pass breakups in 51 career games. 

The Jaguars will face the Broncos in Denver on Sunday. 

 

E.Jay Zarett