Jaguars rookie LB Ventrell Miller out for season with Achilles injury
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie linebacker Ventrell Miller will miss his rookie season due to an Achilles injury, head coach Doug Pederson said Monday morning.
"Unfortunately it's an Achilles [injury]," Pederson said. "That's a season-ending injury there. He'll be missed."
Miller, selected from the University of Florida in the fourth round (pick No. 121) of this year's draft, suffered the injury during the team's preseason victory over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
The injury is to his right Achilles, but Pederson did not have information regarding whether or not it was related to the Jones fracture he suffered at Florida last year.
A Jones fracture is a fracture of the bone on the pinky-toe side of your foot.
Miller was held out of many team drills throughout training camp as he returned from early-year surgery on his foot, but was active and running through the majority of his repetitions. He also played in all three of the team's preseason games, tallying eight solo tackles and two sacks.
Miller has been in competition with fellow backup linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Caleb Johnson to make the team's roster. Miller was likely to make it due to his draft status and athleticism, but now that decision becomes a bit murky with him expected to miss the entire year.
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It appears likely that the team will keep both Quarterman and Johnson on the roster with Miller missing the season.
Pederson provides injury updates on several players
Though Miller was the only major injury discussed by Pederson Monday, the head coach did provide updates on numerous other injuries.
Defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton, who has been away from the club due to a non-football medical issue with his back, returned to the building this morning, Pederson said.
"I haven't seen him yet but I had a message from [director of athletic training] [Jeff] Ferg[uson] that he was in the building so I'm looking forward to seeing him and I believe his wife was with him, so it'd be great to see him," Pederson said.
Another defensive lineman, Foley Fatukasi has also missed time due to an unknown right foot injury. He was seen last week sporting a boot, but shed the boot for the team's preseason finale against the Dolphins. While he did not play in the game, Pederson said that he is "progressing nicely" and he would anticipate him being back on the field.
Offensive lineman Josh Wells continues to nurse a groin injury suffered during Week 2 of the preseason during joint practices that week. He continues to be "week-to-week," according to Pederson.
Fellow OL Cooper Hodges will also be out for a significant period of time, and Pederson said that he was "not close yet."
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 LB Ventrell Miller out for season with Achilles injury
