Timmy

Jernigan

Jernigan had barely played since the Broncos snapped him up following his release from the Jaguars. It is getting late out there for the 28-year-old former second-round pick.

Jernigan was just released from Jacksonville after playing 54 snaps through the first three games. He’ll add depth to a Broncos front-seven that’s lost multiple starters. With Denver playing on Thursday night, Jernigan figures to have a limited role if active this week.

Jernigan, who landed in Jacksonville after he failed his physical with the Texans in August, had played 54 snaps through the team’s first three games, totaling a single tackle and quarterback hit. He’ll land elsewhere as a veteran reserve given the number of injuries throughout the league.

Jernigan agreed to a one-year deal with the Texans earlier in the offseason, but it was nixed after he failed his physical. At one time a difference-maker for the Ravens on the interior, Jernigan is more of a warm body at this stage of his career. He turns 28 next month. Jernigan takes the roster spot of DT Rodney Gunter, who was forced to retire due to a heart condition.

Jernigan’s one-year, $3.75 million deal with the Texans fell through after he failed a physical. Jernigan battled injuries while he was reduced to a 27 percent snap rate last year. The Jaguars aren’t a great fit for him with Tavern Bryan, Abry Jones, Al Woods and rookie Davon Hamilton all on the roster.

Jernigan will become a free agent once again and look to sign as a veteran presence. The 27-year-old had two sacks and three quarterbacks in a rotational role with the Eagles last season. Expect Jernigan to land a similar deal elsewhere once he can prove to be healthy.

The deal includes $1.25 million guaranteed. There was clearly no need to bring Jernigan back in Philly with ex-Steelers DT Javon Hargrave and reserve run-stuffer Hassan Ridgeway under contract. The 27-year-old bounced back mightily last year, overcoming a potential season-ending foot injury in the team’s second game only to return and finish with two sacks and three quarterback hits across 274 defensive snaps as the Eagles’ rotational starter. He’ll likely take on a larger role ahead of Eddie Vanderdoes given D.J. Reader’s exit to Cincinnati in free agency.

Jernigan is expected to get the green light after resuming practice on a limited basis this week. This would be his first game action since the Eagles lost him to a broken foot in Week 2. Along with perennial Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox, the sixth-year run-stuffer will be tasked with plugging up Bears rookie David Montgomery.

The injury won’t require surgery, though it will still cost him 4-6 weeks. Jernigan’s absence leaves the Eagles, who already lost Malik Jackson to a Lisfranc injury in Week 1, shorthanded on the interior. Hassan Ridgeway and Akeem Spence are the leading candidates to replace Jernigan at defensive tackle.

Philly declined Jernigan’s $11 million option back in March, but the defensive tackle did not find much interest on the open market. He returns to the Eagles for what is likely a much lower salary on something of a prove-it deal. Coming off an injury-ruined season, Jernigan is a decent bet to rehab his value before hitting the market again next spring.