Rayshawn

Jenkins

Jenkins returned to practice earlier this week. Head coach Mike Macdonald said he expects Jenkins to play on Sunday. Jenkins was an every-down player before being placed on injured reserve with the hand issue. He had a scoop-and-score touchdown to go along with 38 tackles through six games.

Jenkins was an every-down player for Seattle before going down with a hand injury. He initially tried to play through it but was ultimately placed on injured reserve a month ago. He now has 21 days to be activated from injured reserve.

Jenkins was playing through a hand issue including using a club, but the injury appears to have worsened. He will not miss at least four games while on injured reserve. Jenkins has played on every defensive snap for Seattle this year and has a scoop-and-score touchdown to his name. Safety Ty Okada was signed from the practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move.

Jenkins was a cap casualty for the Jaguars this offseason despite starting all 17 games for the team. He broke up nine passes, stole two interceptions, and tallied 101 tackles. He also added one sack and seven TFLs to his stat line. The Seahawks cut safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams at the end of the year, leaving them with a sizable hole in their secondary. Jenkins should step into a starting role for the defense in 2024.

As the Jaguars continue to make moves to improve their cap situation, Jenkins becomes the latest casualty. Jenkins signed a four-year deal with the Jaguars during the 2021 offseason and has played in 48 regular season games for them. Last season, Jenkins totaled 101 tackles and two interceptions while also breaking up nine passes. His PFF coverage grade of 59.6 leaves much to be desired, but Jenkins still offers upside as a run-stopper and is valuable in the box, where he played 489 of his 1,099 defensive snaps.

The Jaguars free up $5.1 million in cap space with the restructuring of Jenkins’ contract. The veteran safety is entering his third year with the team and is fresh off a season in which he totaled 116 tackles, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles -- all career highs. Jenkins is under contract with the Jags through 2024 and should slot into a starting role next season.

The questionable tag suggests Jenkins, who was injured in Week 9, has a chance to play without missing time. Andrew Wingard will draw the start if Jenkins isn’t cleared.

Jacksonville was 31st in passing EPA defense last season, and Jenkins is a notable upgrade over current starter Jarrod Wilson. Jaguars DC Joe Cullen is bringing over Baltimore’s aggressive, man-heavy defense, and Jenkins will provide a safety net on the backside. He’s coming off a career-best 84-tackle season.

Jenkins (6’1/214) made 33 starts at The U, tallying eight tackles for loss and nine interceptions and earning honorable mention All-ACC as a fifth-year senior. While not a decorated college player, Jenkins showed NFL-level athleticism with 4.52 wheels and explosive vertical (37") and broad (10’8") jumps at the Combine. A punishing, plus-sized, downhill safety, Jenkins’ game is reminiscent of Steelers SS Mike Mitchell. Like Mitchell, Jenkins will likely have to earn his early-career keep on special teams before pushing for regular defensive playing time.

Jenkins had a lackluster career at Miami before blowing up the Combine with 4.52 speed and explosive vertical (37") and broad (10’8") jumps. He’s a project as a two-deep safety for DC Gus Bradley. Jenkins should open 2017 on special teams.