![Jaguars Zach Durfee (58) runs through tackling dummies during the Jaguars’ fourth OTA of the year, Monday June 1, 2026 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_241,y_94,w_1101,h_619/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/55/01m1a85vbtpg4hwck8hj.jpg "Jaguars Zach Durfee (58) runs through tackling dummies during the Jaguars’ fourth OTA of the year, Monday June 1, 2026 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars were in need of a No. 3 pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Sophomore B.J. Green II rose to the challenge, but undrafted rookie Bryan Thomas Jr. also flashed enough in training camp to lock up a roster spot. But with Thomas making the team, the Jags faced a bit of a logjam at defensive end. They found a solution, albeit one that doesn't bode well for Zach Durfee.
Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that Jacksonville is placing Zach Durfee on the Injury Reserve list, effectively ending this rookie campaign before it started. The former Washington Huskey was dealing with an upper-body injury in past weeks. The team probably didn't think he was going to be able to contribute next season, so it made the decision to shut him down.
Update, Durfee has a designation to return, so he may play next season.
How was Zach Durfee doing before the Jaguars shut him down?
A seventh-round selection in the 2026 draft, Zach Durfee was dubbed Prospect X. The moniker goes, every year, to a player that isn't getting nearly as much attention as he deserves throughout the draft process.
During his collegiate career, Durfee showed pass-rushing potential, with head coach Jedd Fisch going as far as saying that if he had stayed healthy, he would've been drafted in Round 1. But that's the thing, the Dawson, Minnesota native struggled with injuries the past few years. And based on the latest news, things haven't changed much with the Jaguars.
Having said that, Durfee showed upside in the offseason program and later in training camp. However, he cooled down once the preseason took place. Now, he'll need to wait until next year to make a bid for a roster spot.
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What's next for Zach Durfee after being placed on Injured Reserve?
Zach Durfee will have to spend his rookie season getting healthier. On the other hand, by placing him on the Injured Reserve list, the Jaguars will have an easier time sorting out the roster.
With Durfee out of the mix, Bryan Thomas Jr. has a clear path to the 53-man roster. Insider Jordan Schultz had previously reported that Thomas was going to make the team. That means Jacksonville will probably carry the undrafted rookie, B.J. Green, Wesley Williams, Danny Striggow, Travon Walker, and Josh Hines-Allen.
The truth is never great to see a player miss time with injuries, especially if they have to sit out a whole season. All Zach Durfee can do is be patient and wait for his next chance. The Jaguars, for their part, will be able to overcome his absence with Bryan Thomas Jr.
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