Christian Kirk has missed the bulk of the last five games
Trevor Lawrence is on track to play this weekend, but the Jacksonville Jaguars could be getting another big asset for Sunday.
The Jags placed wide receiver Christian Kirk back on their active roster after he returned to practice this week.
Kirk had been on injured reserve and missed the last four games with a groin injury he suffered in the first quarter back on December 4.
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Christian Kirk, #13 of the Jacksonville Jaguars, celebrates a reception during the second quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023, in Houston, Texas. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
It is not a guarantee that Kirk will play, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Kirk had been Lawrence's go-to target last season en route to an AFC South title. Even with Calvin Ridley in the fold this season, that was still the case.
Through 11 games (before Kirk's injury) Kirk had 82 targets, while Ridley had 76.
Kirk had the best season of his career last year, his first with the Jags. He posted career-highs with 84 receptions, 1,108 yards, and eight touchdowns. When he got injured, he was on pace to have more receptions and yards.
Jacksonville has certainly missed Kirk, as they've averaged 18.0 points per game without him. (They still scored 26 points last week, without Lawrence under center.) Prior to that, they averaged 23.8.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates a touchdown with Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 7, 2023, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Jaguars need a victory over the Tennessee Titans to secure the AFC South for the second consecutive season. They could still make the playoffs with a loss, but they would need Pittsburgh and Denver to lose, to eke into the postseason as the AFC’s No. 7 seed.
NFL Network reported Saturday that Lawrence is "pushing" to play Sunday, as he's not at risk of further injury. It's more so about pain management. He missed the first game of his career last week.
If both Lawrence and Kirk are active, and it sure looks like that's the plan, the Jags' quest for consecutive division titles looks much more attainable.
Christian Kirk, #13 of the Jacksonville Jaguars, scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
It would be the first time the Jags made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since they made it in four consecutive seasons from 1996 through 1999.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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