Christian Kirk expected to need surgery on injured core muscle
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk will likely need surgery to repair the injured core muscle that ended his night Monday.
“I believe so,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said when asked if a procedure would be necessary for Kirk. “We’re gonna send the images off, get another look at it, and make sure that we have the right diagnosis and the right plan of attack for Christian moving forward.”
Earlier Tuesday, Pederson said that Kirk “is obviously going to miss some time” with the injury. While the Jaguars didn’t offer a timetable on a possible return to the field for Kirk, there’s an outside chance the receiver could return if the team makes a lengthy postseason run.
#Jaguars WR Christian Kirk suffered a core muscle injury on his catch last night and is expected to need surgery. Rehab for a core muscle issue is generally about eight weeks.
If Kirk is ready at eight weeks, he could play in the Super Bowl if Jax makes it. A little earlier…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2023
Kirk, 27, was injured on the first offensive snap Monday night and went down without contact after making a 26-yard reception. The Jaguars initially called it a groin injury for Kirk who didn’t return to the game.
The Jaguars acquired the receiver in free agency a year ago and he finished his first season with 84 receptions, 1,108 receiving yards, and eight touchdown receptions, leading the team in all three categories. After 13 weeks of the 2023 season, Kirk again leads the Jaguars in receiving yards with 787.
Christian Kirk injury sucks for a ton of reasons. One of them is that he was on pace to get $1.5 million in incentives ($500k each for 80+ rec, 1,000+ rec yards, 1,100+ rec yards).
— Adam Stites (@AdamStites_) December 5, 2023
With Kirk out of action Monday, the team turned to rookie Parker Washington to fill in as the slot receiver. While the sixth-round pick caught all six of his targets for 61 yards and a touchdown, his inexperience showed at times and proved especially costly on the play that resulted in an ankle injury for Trevor Lawrence.
