New York Jets’ receiver Shaq Evans likely lost for the season with shoulder injury
The New York Jets tried to find as many weapons to help out second-year quarterback Geno Smith in free agency and the NFL Draft, but before one preseason game, the Jets have lost one receiver for the season.
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Fourth round pick Shaq Evans could be lost for the season with a shoulder injury, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
"“That shoulder looks pretty bad,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “We’ll see how that goes, but it doesn’t look good right now. We talked to him about it, too. He had the other shoulder [injury] before. But this one seems to be bothering him a lot more. This looks like a severe injury.”"
It looks as if Evans is headed for the injured reserve before his rookie season can even get underway, so this is naturally upsetting news for the former UCLA product who was the 115th selection in May’s 2014 NFL Draft.
Evans had 47 receptions for 709 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season for the Bruins. The year before he recorded a career-high 60 receptions for 877 yards and three touchdowns. He began his college career at Notre Dame but transferred after one season to head to UCLA.
He also had experience as a punt returner and his versatility could have helped him see the field as a rookie, but that will have to wait one year.
In his absence they will be counting even more so on free agent addition Eric Decker to make a big splash as Smith’s No. 1 receiver and help the development of Smith who was named the starter over Michael Vick for the preseason opener.