Every team is bound to lose players in training camp. That was the case for the Jacksonville Jaguars when linebacker Jack Kiser suffered a knee injury. Head coach Liam Coen said he didn't know how serious the injury was but stated that the sophomore linebacker would undergo tests to determine its severity. There's an update.
Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports that Kiser will be back later in training camp. Other beat writers confirmed the news. That's positive news, as he will miss time but will return before the start of the regular season. On the other hand, his absence could pave the way for a couple linebackers to sneak onto the initial 53-man roster.
Yasir Abdullah or Parker Washington could make the 53-man roster
Even after losing Devin Lloyd in free agency, the Jaguars are stacked at linebacker. Foyesade Olukoun remains at the top of the depth chart, and Ventrell Miller will tentatively start next to him, although Branson Combs could challenge him for the job. Dennis Gardeck and sophomore Jalen McLeod are also in the mix. That's five roster spots.
Jack Kiser was trending toward getting the sixth linebacker slot, but Yasir Abdullah and rookie Parker Hughes could make a push for it while Kiser recovers from the knee injury he sustained.
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, Kiser barely played as a rookie but was seemingly vying for the backup job behind Olukoun. His bid took a hit at the worst possible time, though. If he returns late in training camp, Abdullah and Hughes could narrow down the gap and even move ahead of him on the depth chart.
Yasir Abdullah could get make the Jaguars roster over Jack Kiser
Parker Hughes was one of the fastest linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft, posting a 40-yard dash of 4.40 seconds. That said, he has his work cut out for him to earn a roster spot, not only because he was a seventh-round selection but also because Jacksonville is loaded at linebacker.
On the other hand, Yasir Abdullah was a fifth-round pick in 2023. A highly productive pass rusher at Louisiana, the former Cardinal simply didn't have the size to get after the quarterback at the NFL, so he switched to linebacker. Since landing with the Jags, he's been a valuable depth piece and has become a valuable contributor on special teams.
If the competition for the LB6 spot came to Abdullah and Hughes, the former would probably come out on top because of his experience. That said, the latter probably has the higher ceiling of the two, so he shouldn't be ruled out just yet.
Then again, Jack Kiser is still in the mix, and he could have an opportunity to compete once he's back. This is a long-winded way to say the linebacker battle remains wide open.
The Jaguars will give Jack Kiser and his fellow linebackers a legitimate chance to compete for a job next season. Once he returnshe could make things interesting.
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