Jaguars sign QB Matt Barkley to active roster with Lawrence dealing with AC joint sprain
With Trevor Lawrence's status in doubt due to an AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Matt Barkley off of the New York Giants’ practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.
Lawrence injury update: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence's status Sunday unclear after AC joint sprain per Doug Pederson
In a corresponding move, the Jaguars placed safety Daniel Thomas on the team's reserve/injured list due to a fractured left forearm injury suffered during the team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday.
Barkley, 33, was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC by the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley spent two years there before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, spending one season there before bouncing around various rosters, playing for 11 different teams since he's been drafted.
Barkley was most recently with the Giants, signed to their practice squad Oct. 31. He was with the Buffalo Bills the last two years, on the active roster and practice squad.
In his career, Barkley has started seven games, playing in 19. He has completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 2,699 yards, 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
Barkley saw his most extension action in 2016, starting six games for the Chicago Bears. He posted a 1-5 record, completing 59.7 percent of his passes for 1,611 yards, eight touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The Jaguars signed Barkley as insurance this week and the veteran QB would operate as the team's third, emergency QB on game day if Lawrence can play, while likely being the backup to C.J. Beathard if he can't suit up this week.
Last week, the Jaguars lost rookie QB Nathan Rourke on waivers to the New England Patriots and signed second-year player E.J. Perry to the practice squad. Barkley's signing gives the team a veteran behind Beathard rather than a player with zero regular-season game experience and very little NFL experience.
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 sign QB Matt Barkley after Trevor Lawrence shoulder injury
