Jalen Ramsey suffers ‘small meniscus tear’

One year after seeing first round pick Dante Fowler Jr. suffer a devastating knee injury in the first practice of rookie minicamp, the Jaguars just can’t seem to turn around their luck.

Well, you wouldn’t be crazy to suggest the Jaguars are somewhat cursed. After one of the more successful offseasons in recent NFL history, the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t even make it to training camp without bad news. First round pick Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury and it’s not minor.

The Jaguars released the following statement regarding Ramsey’s injury:

"Jalen Ramsey sustained a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee during phase two on-field workouts. Ramsey is obtaining a second opinion next week. More information will be available when Head Team Physician Dr. Kevin Kaplan and the Jaguars athletic training staff determine the appropriate medical care."

Obviously we will wait until this second opinion and the prognosis to see how serious this really is, but it’s just downright discouraging regardless of the outcome. Losing Fowler for the entire 2015 season was a big deal, but no one thought the Jaguars were going to be legitimate contenders yet. This year was different – the Jaguars are supposed to take that next step on the strength of a terrific free agent haul and a tremendous draft class.

Now Ramsey joins a list of players with injury questions on defense – Fowler, Myles Jack, Sen’Derrick Marks, Tashaun Gipson, and Prince Amukamara all are coming back from serious or nagging injuries.

Like Fowler last year, Ramsey hasn’t signed his contract yet but this injury shouldn’t affect that process at all. The Jaguars signed Ramsey to the full rookie contract and Ramsey will do the same exact thing when the time comes.

Hopefully the news is good when Ramsey gets a second opinion. The Jaguars desperately need his speed and athleticism along the defense.