JAGUARS SIGN VETERAN DT TIMMY JERNIGAN, PLACE RODNEY GUNTER ON RETIRED LIST

Timmy Jernigan (Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

After seeing some attrition at the defensive tackle spot, the team brought in defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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After seeing newly signed DTs Al Woods opt-out and Rodney Gunter retire (aortic heart condition), the Jaguars needed more talent and experience on the interior of their defensive line. They’re going to get just that with defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan. The team announced the signing of the seventh-year defensive tackle Monday morning. 

Jernigan played his college ball a couple of hours west of Jacksonville in Tallahassee. Drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Jernigan has been an above-average run defender his entire six-year career. He spent his first three years in Baltimore before signing with Philly in 2017, where he played the last three seasons. 

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At 28 years old, Jernigan has started 51 starts in 71 total games. He’s racked up 132 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks during his six-year career. 

The biggest issue to this point in his career has been health. After helping the Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2017, he’s played in just 13 games over the last two seasons. 

Jernigan should be able to play both defensive tackle spots for the Jaguars. At 6’2” tall and 295 pounds, he’s smaller than the prototypical defensive tackle, but he makes up for it with strength and tenacity. 

Last week Doug Marrone acknowledged the team’s lack of depth at defensive tackle. “I’m not going to say it’s not a concern, right? That would be ridiculous,” Marrone said.

Jernigan, when healthy, should provide just the kind of depth the Jaguars need. 

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