JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Christian Kirk’s situation took a turn for the worse during the Jaguars’ game against Green Bay, as he appeared to sustain a dislocated shoulder while attempting to make a catch on a deep pass in the fourth quarter. This injury occurred in a game that ended with a narrow loss for the Jaguars, 30-27.

Kirk was one of six players from the Jaguars to suffer injuries during the match, which included all three starting wide receivers. Gabe Davis also injured his shoulder, while rookie Brian Thomas Jr. exited the game in the final moments due to a chest issue.

Among these injuries, Kirk’s looks to be the most severe; he was seen leaving the locker room with his arm in a sling. This injury could potentially mean he remains with the Jaguars for the time being. The veteran receiver is in the last year of a four-year, $72 million contract and had been involved in trade discussions leading up to the game.

Tight end Evan Engram expressed his admiration for Kirk, stating, “He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, one of the smartest players, and a great leader. It’s unfortunate how things turned out today. He was performing well and getting into the rhythm.” Engram remains hopeful, stating, “God doesn’t make mistakes; there’s a plan. He’ll be just fine.”

The Jaguars, now holding a record of 2-6, also faced losses with cornerback Ronald Darby (hip) and guards Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and Brandon Scherff (knee) being sidelined. Of these injuries, Scherff was the only player who managed to return during the game.

With this defeat, Jacksonville has struggled significantly, losing 11 of their last 14 matches. Trevor Lawrence launched a comeback from a 10-point deficit after having two turnovers earlier in the game. However, the defense faltered in critical moments for the third time this season.

Despite Jordan Love’s absence due to a groin injury, Malik Willis stepped in as the Packers’ quarterback. The Jaguars needed one defensive stop to gain possession back or force the game into overtime. Unfortunately, Willis connected with Jayden Reed for a crucial 51-yard gain on a second-and-6 play, which left the Jaguars’ defense exposed after biting on a run fake.

In an effort to let the Packers score, Chris Brooks fell down, leading to Brandon McManus’ 24-yard field goal that sealed the game. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen shared his frustrations, stating, “This loss hurts, especially given how well we performed overall in defense, special teams, and offense. We made big plays but just could not secure the win.”

Coach Doug Pederson noted the emotional toll on the team, saying, “They’re devastated and heartbroken. They fought hard until the very end, which I can only ask for. It’s important they recognize how close these games can be, typically decided by just two or three key plays.”

Pederson highlighted critical moments such as Lawrence’s fumble at the 5-yard line, which gave the Packers an easy score, and an interception in the second quarter that led to another touchdown. “These moments certainly influenced the outcome, making it disappointing,” Lawrence stated, having completed 21 of 32 passes for 308 yards. He acknowledged the setbacks with the injuries, commenting that losing six starters considerably affects the game.

Despite the discouraging results, Lawrence remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “We can’t let this defeat dictate our outlook. I feel we have progressed and are coming together. However, we need to discover a way to secure a win next week. Our efforts are not in vain; we have made significant strides,” he concluded.