It looks like Jaguars wide receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew only required a short practice window in order to return from injured reserve. Agnew was only designated to return from IR three days ago as he continued working to overcome rib and shoulder injuries that placed him there in the first place. In order to make room on the active roster for the newly activated Agnew, Jacksonville waived backup quarterback Nathan Rourke, per a team announcement.
Agnew had missed the four games required to come back from injured reserve when the Jaguars designated him to return. During his absence, the team had turned to rookie sixth-round receiver Parker Washington to return punts and veteran backup running back D’Ernest Johnson to return kickoffs. Now, they’ll get back a return man who was a first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie in Detroit and a Pro Bowl returner in Jacksonville just last year. Agnew has also found a bit of a role in the passing offense since arriving in Duval, providing the Jaguars with another offensive weapon just in time for a tough matchup with the Ravens on Sunday night.
Rourke has spent his first season in the NFL going back and forth between the team’s active and practice-squad rosters. He had been called up to back up C.J. Beathard in the off chance that Trevor Lawrence was unavailable to play after his high ankle sprain, but Rourke became expendable with Lawrence playing through the injury. Should he clear waivers, expect Rourke to find his way back to the practice squad in Jacksonville.
Speaking of the practice squad, the Jaguars took the opportunity to announce that practice squad tight end Josh Pederson would serve as the team’s standard game elevation for Sunday's matchup with the Ravens. Pederson has appeared in two games so far this season, making his NFL debut two weeks ago.
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