Report: Jaguars expected to sign former Eagles DT Timmy Jernigan

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been looking for help off the free-agent market to bolster their defensive line and that has seemingly sent them in the direction of a star player who grew up just outside of the city. Per NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the team plans to sign former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan after the veteran recently had a visit with them.

Jernigan, 27, is a native of Lake City, Fla., which is about 70 miles out of Jacksonville. Before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second-round of the 2014 NFL Draft, he played collegiately at Florida State University where he was a standout and a BCS National Champion (2014).

After three seasons with the Ravens, he was traded to the Eagles in April of 2017 and remained there for three seasons. Of course, while there he helped the team win Super Bowl LII.

The Jags interest in Jernigan comes after defensive tackle Al Woods opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns for the coronavirus and both Brian Price and Dontavius Russell had to be placed on injured reserve this past weekend. That said, the Jags have reached out to Jernigan who seemingly doesn’t mind playing close to home.

Jernigan will enter 2020 with 51 starts, 132 tackles, and 17.5 sacks on his career. He was also able to register a Pro Football Focus grade of 65.9 in 2019. If/when the Jags make his signing official, he’ll join a unit that consists of Pro Bowler Josh Allen, longtime veteran Abry Jones, first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson, and maybe Yannick Ngakoue if he decides to return.