Jacksonville Jaguars Dwayne Gratz likely out next week

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz (27) reacts after he intercepted the ball during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz has only played in one game this season, as he suffered a high ankle sprain during the Jaguars Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The initial timetable for Gratz’s injury was that it would be at least a three-week injury, and he’s already missed three weeks with the ailment. According to Jaguars official site beat writer John Oehser, that total will likely be pushed up to four weeks, as he reports that Dwayne Gratz is “unlikely” to play next week against the St. Louis Rams.

The Jacksonville Jaguars pass defense is bad enough even with Gratz as a starter, and their level of play without him has been abysmal. Alan Ball and Gratz form one of the worst cornerback duos in the league, but Gratz is definitely a significant upgrade over the backup corners on the roster. Beyond that, Gratz also provides upside, as he was the Jaguars third-round pick in the draft. With him out, the Jaguars have been trying to do what they can to get a legitimate CB duo going, but nothing is working.

Hopefully Gratz can return to action sooner rather than later, and I’m sure this ankle sprain is a nasty one. Gratz is an extremely durable player, and he’s also a talented one. The Jacksonville Jaguars need him to be healthy, and I expect Sam Bradford and a couple of Rams pass-catchers to have big days in Week 5. If they don’t, then I guess it’s time to really start to worry about Bradford and the Rams offense.

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