Jaguars activate WR Jamal Agnew off injured reserve ahead of SNF game vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Jacksonville Jaguars have activated receiver/return specialist Jamal Agnew to the team's active 53-man roster from the reserve/injured list, the team announced Saturday.

Agnew began his 21-day practice window earlier this week after spending the last four games on the team's reserve/injured list due to a shoulder injury.

In a corresponding move, the Jaguars waived quarterback Nathan Rourke from the active roster. Rourke is likely to be re-signed to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers. The Jaguars also elevated tight end Josh Pederson from the practice squad using standard elevation.

This will be his third elevation, the allotted number for practice squad players in a given season. Moving forward, if the Jaguars want to utilize Pederson on game day, they'll have to move him to the 53-man roster.

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Ahead of a Sunday Night Football match against the Baltimore Ravens, Agnew is likely to be called upon to take back control of his return duties on both punts and kicks.

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Agnew originally injured his shoulder in the team's Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. On Friday, Agnew told reporters that he feels good, but still needs a bit of time to get back into football shape.

“I feel pretty good physically. It's about getting in football shape,” said Agnew. “I mean, it's different than running straight-line stuff. Football shape is a lot different. [It involves] change of direction, a lot of cutting and running and getting back to the huddle and doing it again. It’s just about getting back in football shape.”

Agnew's presence gives Jacksonville another option at receiver with Christian Kirk out indefinitely due to a core muscle injury that required surgery. Agnew will also give Jacksonville juice in the return game, a spot that rookie WR Parker Washington manned in the last few games.

Since joining the team in 2021, Agnew has accounted for 56 catches for 506 yards and four touchdowns. He's returned 47 punts for an average of 8.4 yards per return. He has returned 50 kicks for 25.3 yards per return and one touchdown.

"He gives us the speed, the vertical threat down the field that without a guy like that, obviously you lack," said Jaguars coordinator Press Taylor when asked about Agnew on Thursday.

"I think that’s an element that stresses defenses a little bit, you know where he is on the field, people are certainly aware of when he comes in the game, when he goes in motion, when he is near the football in some way, shape or form. He’s continued to grow as a receiver from our time here."

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars activate Jamal Agnew off injured reserve before SNF vs. Ravens