Evan Engram injury update: The latest on Jaguars TE ahead of MNF

Ryan OLeary

Evan Engram injury update: The latest on Jaguars TE ahead of MNF image

The Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) are entering must-win territory entering a critical Week 3 road game against the Buffalo Bills (2-0) on Monday night. 

With the offense struggling to sustain drives, among the worst in the NFL at converting third downs through two games, quarterback Trevor Lawrence would love to have his favorite target in a potential prime-time shootout with Josh Allen.

Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, Jacksonville’s leader in targets last season with 143, will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury, head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Saturday.

"Evan, probably not going to make it," Pederson said. "He tried this week. It's just not there yet. So, hopefully next week. We'll see." 

MORE JAGUARS NEWS: NFL picks, predictions Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

In Engram’s absence against the Browns last week, tight end Brenton Strange played 41 snaps, turning some added opportunities into three catches for 65 yards, including a 30-yard reception. Backup Luke Farrell played 28 snaps and caught a pair of short passes. 

Jacksonville will need more from its wide receivers to pull off the road upset this week. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has made some big plays, but the volume has surprisingly shifted away from Chritian Kirk, with veteran Gabe Davis operating as the de facto WR1. Davis has six catches for 105 yards on 10 total targets. Kirk has two total receptions in the two games.

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.