Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. was injured on Friday during the first day of rookie minicamp and the now the third overall pick in the NFL draft will be out for the 2015 season after suffering a torn ACL injury.
Fowler was injured on the first day of rookie minicamp and Pro Football Talk reported that he had not yet signed his rookie contract. According to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, Fowler is out for the 2015 season with a torn ACL and it came during a contact play when Fowler was lined up with an offensive lineman. Fowler went down to the ground and immediately grabbed his knee and the play was captured on video by someone on a cell phone watching the practice.
Fowler was the first non-quarterback selected in the draft this year and the Jaguars were expecting him to be a starter or at least a main contributor on defense. Fowler had a strong season for the Florida Gators in 2014 and some draft scouts had him as the top rated overall player in the draft. Fowler had not signed his rookie contract, but Schefter reported that he had signed an injury waiver, which binds the Jaguars to negotiating in "good faith" if an injury occurs.
Fowler comes in after recording 8.5 sacks for the Gators last season in 12 games and he finished the year with 15 tackles for loss and 60 total tackles. Fowler had 3.5 sacks and 50 tackles in 2013 and he now will have a long rehab ahead of him as he gets ready for the 2016 season. Chris Clemons now will have to step up with Fowler out for Gus Bradley, as he will likely be the "Leo" pass rusher in Bradley's defensive scheme.
