Andrew Wingard's injury will throw a wrench into the Jaguars 53-man roster

Team captain Andrew Wingard got off to a strong start to training camp. However, he's missed several practices with a knee injury and his availability for the regular season is in question. Leaving aside that Dewey is one of the team's most prominent leaders, his absence will have a direct impact on how the Jags build their initial 53-man roster.

Head coach Doug Pederson met with the local media before Day 8 of training camp and shared updates about several players, including Wingard.

"Dewey has the knee right now, and he's going to be out a while. Don't know the time frame yet, but he'll miss some significant time here in [training] camp," Pederson said.

Later in the exchange, Pederson was asked if Wingard would be available for the opener. He told the media that he wasn't sure how long he would be out but would discuss it with the media staff. The head coach also said that sophomore linebacker Ventrell Miller is day-to-day with tight soreness. The same is true for offensive guard Cooper Hodges, who's been out with a back injury.

An undrafted free agent in 2019, Andrew Wingard worked his way up the depth chart and made 53-man roster as a rookie. Injuries pressed him into action the following season, and by 2021, the former Wyoming Cowboy had joined the starting lineup full-time.

With the promotion of Andre Cisco to the starting lineup in 2022, Wingard took on a reserve role but he also contributed on special teams. During the team's playoff push, he came up with the "It was always the Jags" rallying cry, which became emblematic of the team.

The Jaguars recognized Wingard's impact on the team and gave him a three-year deal worth $9 million in 2023. His teammates also let him know how important he was to their success by naming him team captain.

Before suffering the knee injury, Wingard got the spotlight because he picked off Trevor Lawrence twice in practice. Here's Pederson's full exchange with the media on Day 8 of training camp. He goes over the injuries at the very beginning.

How will Andrew Wingard's injury affect the Jaguars' 53-man roster?

Andrew Wingard is the Jacksonville Jaguars' top backup at safety. The past five years, he's started a combined five games, appearing in 19 percent and 30 percent of the team's total snaps in 2022 and 2023, respectively. However, he's also a core contributor on special teams, and the team's brass will be tasked with filling the void his absence will create.

Just recently, Jacksonville signed linebacker Tanner Muse, who carved a niche on special teams for the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons. He also lined up at safety in college, so he may have a shot at replacing Wingard. Other options include undrafted rookie Josh Proctor, who got praise from special teams coach Heath Farwell. Sophomore Erick Hallet II, a sixth-round pick in 2023, spent his rookie season in the practice squad and could also be in the mix.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are surely hoping Andrew Wingard's injury isn't that serious, but there's a strong chance it will have an impact on the 53-man roster. Leaving aside his leadership role, the team's brass will need to find someone who can contribute on special teams and step in on defense if needed.

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