JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left collarbone.
Coach Doug Pederson said Kirk had surgery Monday morning and will be placed on injured reserve.
“Tough for him, tough for us,” Pederson said.
Kirk broke his collarbone when he fell on his shoulder while trying to catch a deep pass in the fourth quarter of a 30-27 loss to Inexperienced Bay on Sunday. Kirk was wearing a sling in the locker room after the game.
It could end up being his last play with the Jaguars (2-6). Kirk, who missed the final five games last season due to a core muscle injury, has one year left on a four-year, $72 million contract and must count $24.4 million against the salary cap in 2025. He had been targeted of trade rumors in recent weeks.
With no chance of moving him before the trade deadline now and Jacksonville potentially on the verge of breaking up a team that has lost 11 of its last 14 games, cutting Kirk next year would save nearly $11 million in cap space.
“He's one of the best teammates I've ever had, one of the smartest players I've ever met,” tight end Evan Engram said. “One of the best leaders I have ever been with.
“You also saw it cut today. It was rolling. He was getting going. “Just a very unfortunate event.”
Kirk, 28, has 27 catches for 379 yards and a touchdown this season and has clearly become Trevor Lawrence's second option behind rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Kirk has 404 catches for 5,176 yards and 29 TDs in seven seasons, the first four in Arizona.
Kirk was one of six Jaguars, including all three starting receivers, injured in the game. Gabe Davis also hurt his shoulder and Thomas left late with a rib injury that will require more tests Monday.
Jacksonville also played without cornerback Ronald Darby (hip) and guards Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and Brandon Scherff (knee). Scherff was the only one to return to the game.
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