JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lack of a pass rush has been an issue for the Jaguars through their first three preseason games. The defensive line just received another blow, when the team announced that defensive end Andre Branch will miss an extended amount of time with a MCL sprain.
Branch suffered the injury in the first quarter of Friday's game against the Detroit Lions.
"That's a tough one for us," said Jaguars coach Gus Bradley on a conference call. "The time frame, I know he won't be ready for the first game, but guys will step up. It's always tough when you lose a guy like that. He was playing well in training camp. But you can never have enough rushers and guys will have to step up."
Branch was penciled in as the starter at the Leo spot (pass-rushing defensive end). Even with him in the lineup the Jaguars have recorded just three sacks during the preseason.
A combination of Chris Clemons, Ryan Davis and Chris Smith will fill the void.