Yannick Ngakoue’s hold out is official. The star defensive end did not report to Jacksonville Jaguars camp and has been placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. The move allows the Jaguars to sign a new player to complete their 90-man training camp roster. If and when Ngakoue returns, the Jags will be forced to cut a player.
#Jaguars pass-rushing DE Yannick Ngakoue is not reporting to training camp today and won’t be with his teammates in Jacksonville, I’m told.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2019
Ngakoue is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Jacksonville drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland and he has been nothing short of a steal. Ngakoue took a starting job for the team immediately and, in three seasons, has recorded 29.5 sacks. He was a big reason the team traded away Dante Fowler Jr. to the Los Angeles Rams last season. They just didn’t need him.
In 2018, Ngakoue started all 16 games with 28 tackles, 9.5 sacks and one pass defended.
The defensive end and the team have been in intense negotiations over the last week. The Jaguars reportedly offered him a $19 million a year deal, but it didn’t have the length that Ngokoue was looking for. The number per year likely isn’t the issue. That $19 million figure would make him the fourth highest paid defensive end in the league. But apparently the Jaguars weren’t thinking long-term. If they extend that to four or five seasons, my guess is the 24-year-old will be in camp.
Linebacker Telvin Smith placed on Reserve/Retired List
After announcing last month that he was stepping away from football to deal with some personal issues, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially placed linebacker Telvin Smith on the Reserve/Retired list.
Like the move with Ngakoue, the move opens a roster spot for the Jags to sign a new player and fill out their 90-man roster.
#Jaguars pass-rushing DE Yannick Ngakoue is not reporting to training camp today and won’t be with his teammates in Jacksonville, I’m told.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2019
Smith has been one of the most productive linebackers in the league since Jacksonville drafted him out of Florida State in 2014. Last year he recorded 134 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two passes defended, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown.
