HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024
(On TE Evan Engram’s injury status) “Unfortunately, we’re going to lose Evan for the year.
After more MRIs, results, testing, all that, he’ll have a labrum to get fixed. He’ll have surgery
and fix the shoulder and miss the rest of the year.”
(On when Engram had the MRI) “Just this week, after the game.”
(On when he found out about the extent of the injury) “I mean, it doesn’t matter when I
found out. It’s just the fact that the decision’s been made. He’s going to have surgery.”
(On how many healthy tight ends the team has available) “I think we have three.”
(On TE Josiah Deguara being listed on the injury report) “He’s listed. I mean, I should be
listed (laughs). He’s fine. Josiah’s fine. For him, it’s more precautionary. Josiah’s fine.”
(On how the offense will overcome Engram’s absence) “Next man up. Brenton [TE Brenton
Strange], Luke [TE Luke Farrell], Josiah, the entire offense. That’s what you’ve got to do,
you’ve just got to rally and have that next man up mentality.”
(On his confidence in Strange) “We’ve been pleased with Brenton—excited about Brenton,
really. He’s done a nice job for us, and this will be a great opportunity for him to really
showcase himself a little bit within our offense. Another opportunity for Luke as well to get
more of an opportunity in these last four games, and Josiah too. This will be good for him.
Really expect him to continue playing at a high level.”
(On if he’s ever experienced losing so many key pass catchers to season-ending injuries)
“Probably not to the extent that we’ve lost Christian [WR Christian Kirk], Gabe [WR Gabe
Davis], Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence], Evan. It’s tough. It’s tough. Again, it’s unfortunate.
Can’t make excuses for it, it’s part of the game but it’s a great opportunity for the next guy.”
(On if the team has gotten “unlucky” with its plethora of key injuries) “I don’t know. I just
know that football is a tough sport. It’s a violent sport and injuries are going to happen. It’s
part of the game. The guys play tough and physical, and they play hard. That’s what I ask
and that’s what they do. They put their bodies on the line every single week and stuff like
this happens. But again, I think the positive to it is guys like Brenton, [WR] Parker
Washington obviously, guys like Mac [QB Mac Jones] get opportunities to really showcase
themselves and play well.”
(On if he anticipates WR Josh Reynolds having a role this week) “Yes, of course. Yes.”
(On what he’s seen from Reynolds in his first week with the Jaguars) “A lot. Smart kid, has
picked up our offense pretty well. Only been here for a week and has done a good job fitting
in. Obviously, now we expect his role to really increase more and more these last few
games.”
(On if there’s any concern over OL Ezra Cleveland’s injury status) “No.”
(On if he’s been pleased with what he’s seen with Cleveland in his first complete season
with the Jaguars) “Yeah, I have. Again, another player that’s played through some injury and
has played tough, and has been consistent for us on that left side. It was an answer, really,
that we were looking for, I think, coming out of the year last year. He’s filled that role and
will just continue to improve. But yeah, been very pleased with Ezra and his performance.”
