Another injury was sustained by the Jacksonville Jaguars during Friday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, the injury belongs to Johnathan Cyprien, starting strong safety for the team. The injury was told that it is a fractured finger which will also sideline him for the entirety of the preseason, as it did with Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas' injury, which was reported after the game. There have been three hand-related injuries for the Jaguars dating back to last Saturday's open scrimmage with Cyprien, Thomas, and rookie running back T.J. Yeldon.
However, head coach Gus Bradley has reported in a press conference on Saturday afternoon that Cyprien would not need surgery on the injured finger and that they are hopeful that he will be ready for the season opener on September 13 against the Carolina Panthers. Bradley also mentioned that the injuries sustained by Cyprien and Thomas are different by stating that Thomas' fracture came on top of the hand, and Cyprien clearly has a finger injury.
Cyprien played 17 snaps on Friday, and Bradley was not sure when the injury occured. He said Cyprien asked to get his finger checked out after the game was completed. The Jaguars will be looking at two players to fill in the void left by the injury with Josh Evans, who converted to strong safety after playing free safety for his first two seasons in Jacksonville, and 2014 undrafted free agent Craig Loston.
The Jacksonville Jaguars did get some good news, however, in the wake of both injuries. Many defensive players will return to practice and gameplay for the Jaguars in the upcoming week, as veteran defensive end Chris Clemons and rookie fourth round pick free safety James Sample will both return to the practice field on Monday. Additionally, new free agent signing defensive end Jared Odrick and defensive tackle Roy Miller will be able to go against the New York Giants in East Rutherford next Saturday.
