Kirk brought in one of four targets for 30 yards in the Jaguars' 20-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
With Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones now elsewhere, Kirk was expected to fill a true No. 1 role for Trevor Lawrence, at least early in the season. However, that didn't exactly come to fruition Sunday, with Kirk unable to follow up his early second-quarter chunk play. Kirk did finish tied for the team lead in targets, but the entire passing game could be more productive in a Week 2 home opener against a Browns team that played much less effective defense on the road than it did at home last season.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: WRs to Start
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I'm glad Kirk is no longer dealing with a calf injury, and hopefully he's 100 percent ready for Week 1. I like Brian Thomas Jr. as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver against the Dolphins, but Kirk is a borderline starter in all leagues. When healthy, he should be the go-to option for Trevor Lawrence, and this should be a good week for the Jaguars passing game since Miami's pass rush could be sluggish without Bradley Chubb (ACL) and potentially Jaelen Phillips (Achilles). Kirk has top-20 upside in PPR given this matchup.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Cleared of calf injury
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Kirk (calf) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
The only player who didn't attain full participation for Jacksonville on Wednesday was safety Daniel Thomas (Achilles), so Kirk had no limitations and isn't in danger of missing the season opener in Miami on Sunday. Kirk had missed some time in training camp due to what was described as a mild calf injury, but he has plenty of established chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and is set to work as Jacksonville's top wide receiver following the offseason departure of Calvin Ridley.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Will practice this week
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Coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Kirk (calf) will resume practicing this week, John Shipley of SI.com reports.
Kirk has missed roughly two weeks of practice due to a calf injury described as mild, so it will be encouraging to see him back on the field in at least a limited capacity. The 27-year-old still has just under two weeks remaining to get fully healthy for Jacksonville's regular-season opener against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 8, so he figures to be ready to rock by the time Week 1 kicks off.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Not practicing this week
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Coach Doug Pederson said Kirk (calf) won't practice this week, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.
This will be Kirk's second week of missed practice since suffering a calf injury that Pederson described as mild. The 27-year-old played in Jacksonville's preseason opener and still has nearly three weeks to get healthy before the regular-season opener (Sept. 8 at Miami).
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Has minor calf injury
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Kirk is dealing with a "mild" calf injury and won't practice this week, John Shipley of SI.com reports.
Coach Doug Pederson termed the absence "precautionary" and said Kirk will be re-evaluated next week, per Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville. The Jags plan to rest key players this upcoming Saturday against Tampa Bay, after giving most of the top guys (including Kirk) a single drive in a preseason-opening win over the Chiefs on Sunday. A mild calf injury -- with three and a half weeks to go before the regular-season opener -- isn't especially likely to threaten Kirk's availability for the games that actually matter.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: No targets in preseason opener
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Kirk did not log any targets during the Jaguars' 26-13 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday night.
The Jaguars' starting offense was out there for the first two possessions, but Kirk wasn't on the receiving end of any of Trevor Lawrence's four pass attempts. Despite the quiet night in the opener, Kirk's chemistry with Lawrence is above question as they head into their third season together, and the veteran wideout is the clear No. 1 receiver in Jacksonville's air attack following the departure of Calvin Ridley this offseason.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Should play Saturday
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Kirk and other starters are scheduled to play "a series or two" in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City, Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union reports.
Kirk and TE Evan Engram are the returning standouts in a new-look group of pass catchers, with Calvin Ridley (Titans) and Zay Jones (Cardinals) having been replaced by Gabe Davis and first-round pick Brian Thomas. There's been no report of any injury trouble for Kirk this spring or summer, after he missed the final five games of last season to undergo core muscle surgery. Prior to suffering the injury Week 13, he led the Jaguars in targets, catches and receiving yards, averaging 5.1 receptions for 69.2 yards on 7.6 targets per game.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Feeling healthy again
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Kirk (groin) said Monday that he feels back to full health and looks forward to leading Jacksonville's revamped wide receiver room in 2024, Shaaz Peerani of WJXX ABC 25 Jacksonville reports.
Kirk missed the final five games of the 2023 season due to a groin issue, but he said that he's now healthy and "ready to wake some people back up and remind them of the type of player I am." The 27-year-old is now the most experienced starter in the Jaguars' wideout corps, with Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones having been replaced by Gabe Davis and rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas. Kirk praised Thomas and second-year pro Parker Washington, but the 27-year-old is the favorite to re-emerge as Trevor Lawrence's most trusted target, with tight end Evan Engram also primed to occupy a key role in the passing game.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Finishes with 787 yards in 12 games
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Kirk (groin) finished the 2023 season with 57 catches on 85 targets for 787 yards and three touchdowns in 12 appearances. He also rushed once for six yards.
Kirk took a step back after setting career highs in catches (84), receiving yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight) in his first season with the Jaguars, though he had similar per-game numbers besides the decline in the notoriously fickle touchdown category. He missed the final five games of the season as the Jaguars collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs at 9-8, but Kirk is expected to be healthy by the start of the 2024 campaign and is thus in line to reprise a starting role on the outside opposite Calvin Ridley.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Not playing in Week 18
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Kirk (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Though Jacksonville reinstated Kirk from injured reserve Saturday after he had missed the required four contests while recovering from core-muscle surgery, he'll need more time to heal up before he's ready for game action. Kirk rejoined the Jaguars for practice this week, but he was limited in each of the team's three sessions before being listed as questionable heading into the weekend. If the Jaguars are able to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over Tennessee, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relays that Jacksonville expects to have Kirk available for the wild-card round.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Uncertain to play Sunday
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Kirk (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans but is uncertain to be available for the regular-season finale, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
While the Jaguars' decision to activate Kirk from injured reserve Saturday would seemingly point toward the wideout suiting up Sunday, his availability for the contest apparently isn't locked in just yet. Kirk had missed Jacksonville's last four games while recovering from core-muscle surgery before he resumed practicing this week, though he never managed anything more than limited participation. Official word on Kirk's status will arrive when Jacksonville posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's cleared to play, the 27-year-old could have his snaps managed carefully.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Limited in first two practices of week
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Kirk (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Since being designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kirk has turned in a pair of limited practice sessions, keeping hope alive that he may be able to put an end to his four-game absence this Sunday in Tennessee. In order for Kirk to be eligible to play in Week 18, however, the Jaguars would first have to add him back to the 53-man roster by no later than 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. Even if Kirk hasn't made enough progress in his recovery from core-muscle surgery to play against Tennessee, he would still have an opportunity to return to action during the wild-card round, should Jacksonville punch its ticket to the postseason with a victory over the Titans.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Designated for IR return
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The Jaguars designated Kirk (groin) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.
The move opens a 21-day window in which Kirk can practice without being on the active roster. The Jaguars reportedly hope to have him back for Sunday's game against Tennessee, but it's far from a sure thing with the wide receiver less than a month removed from core-muscle surgery. Kirk would need to be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play Week 18, and it isn't yet clear if he would be catching passes from Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) or C.J. Beathard if available. The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South title with a win this week, while a loss either leaves them as the No. 7 seed or out of the playoffs entirely.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Could suit up Week 18
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Kirk (groin) will have his 21-day practice window open Wednesday, and he could return for Sunday's regular-season finale versus Tennessee, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.
Kirk went on IR on Dec. 8, and he's sat out the required four games to be eligible to return. That's far from a guarantee for Week 18 given the wideout's long layoff, but Jacksonville could certainly use Kirk's talents against the Titans on Sunday as the team can clinch the AFC South with a win. Kirk's practice level during Week 18 prep should provide insight about his chances of suiting up for the regular-season finale.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Placed on IR
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The Jaguars placed Kirk (groin) on injured reserve Friday.
Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Kirk will undergo surgery to address a core muscle/groin injury and will miss at least four games following his placement on IR. While Kirk is out of the lineup, rookie Parker Washington should step into a steady role in three-receiver sets alongside Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Reportedly headed to IR
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The Jaguars are expected to place Kirk (groin) on injured reserve Friday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Per Wolfe, Kirk will require surgery to address a core muscle/groin injury. Once the wideout lands on IR, he would miss at least the next four games, making him ineligible to return to the Jacksonville lineup until Week 18. Kirk's upcoming absence should open up a few extra looks in the passing game for Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones and Evan Engram, while rookie Parker Washington -- who recorded six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to Cincinnati -- should settle into a regular role in three-receiver sets.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Set to miss time
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Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday that Kirk will "miss some time" due to the core muscle injury that he suffered during Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Bengals, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.
Kirk departed following a 26-yard catch on the Jaguars' first offensive play of the game with what was termed a groin injury at the time. He was ruled out after halftime. Pederson already has said Kirk won't be available for Sunday's game at Cleveland, so Jacksonville's top wide receivers in Week 14 will be Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones and Parker Washington. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Kirk may require surgery to address the issue, which likely would sideline him until the later stages of the playoffs, assuming the team makes a run.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Officially out
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Kirk (groin) will not return to Monday's matchup with the Bengals, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.
Kirk tweaked his groin on a 26-yard reception on the Jaguars' first offensive play and subsequently limped to the locker room under his own power. In his absence, Zay Jones figures to continue seeing No. 2 receiver reps alongside Calvin Ridley, while Tim Jones and Parker Washington also could see some snaps.
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Jaguars' Christian Kirk: Heads to locker room
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Kirk is questionable to return to Monday's matchup with the Bengals due to a groin injury, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union
Kirk was able to limp to the locker room under his own power. He suffered the injury on a 26-yard connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the Jags' first offensive play. Zay Jones would be the primary beneficiary if Kirk is unable to return, while Tim Jones and Parker Washington also could see increased reps.
