The Jaguars will now be without two starting wide receivers for the remainder of the 2024 season.
After losing the slot receiver Due to a collarbone injury in Week 8, Jacksonville placed the outside pass catcher on injured reserve during his bye in Week 12 with a reported torn meniscus.
Davis, who signed a three-year, $39 million contract as a free agent with Jacksonville in March, finished the season with 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson on Friday identified potential candidates to replace Davis on the Jacksonville offense going forward, including Parker Washington, Devin Duvernay and Tim Jones among active roster members, as well as Elijah Cooks, Joshua Cephus and Austin Trammell from the team's practice squad.
Washington in particular could see a further increase in its usage. He has averaged nearly 35 offensive snaps per game since Week 8, largely due to Kirk's absence after shooting nearly 15 per game through the first seven games of the season.
“Yes, Parker is obviously taking a big step forward. It’s a big role for him,” Pederson said.
“Devin Duvernay has expanded his role, but Elijah Cooks, Joshua Cephus and Austin Trammell have been promoted [from the practice squad] a few times. Any of these guys can step up. Tim Jones can obviously expand his role offensively a bit. But Parker is really the guy to take on this role.”
Washington has 10 receptions for 118 yards this season, his second with the Jaguars since Jacksonville selected him at No. 185 overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he caught 16 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Washington has also averaged six scores for 24 yards this year, including a 96-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in Week 7.
Pederson expressed confidence in Washington's development with the Jaguars this season and his ability to break into the starting lineup based on his previous experience.
“I've seen a lot. His growth, his maturity, his understanding of what we ask of him, what he can do within the system. He and [Jaguars quarterback] Trevor [Lawrence] be on the same page. Just the growth. The growth he created.” Pederson explained.
“This will be a great opportunity, similar to the end of last season when he made great strides in Christian's absence, he needs to do it again. That's part of being a backup. He doesn't see himself – and I can understand that – as a replacement, which is great. I can understand that, but now he gets the opportunity to be the guy. So a lot of trust in him and a lot of faith in him.”
Duvernay, Jones and Trammell have combined for five receptions and 69 yards this season. Cooks caught three passes for 38 yards as a rookie in 2023 but has yet to produce any stats this season. Cephus, an undrafted rookie, has never appeared in a game against Jacksonville.
