Jalen Ramsey suffers small meniscus tear

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, defensive back Jalen Ramsey, suffered what seems like a small meniscus tear in his knee.

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Jacksonville Jaguars rookie defensive back Jalen Ramsey “suffered a knee injury” in practice on Thursday. The injury has been categorized “as a small meniscus tear” and he will seek a second opinion “early next week.”

This is the second time in two years that the Jaguars’ top five overall pick in the NFL draft has suffered a significant knee injury during the early part of their rookie offseason. Ramsey was the No. 5 overall selection by Jacksonville out of Florida State in this spring’s NFL draft. Last year, No. 3 overall pick and former Florida Gator pass rusher Dante Fowler, Jr. wrecked his knee in the first day of 2015 rookie mini camp.

The growing belief is that Ramsey’s recovery time from this minor knee injury isn’t going to completely derail his rookie season. He will be re-evaluated early next week, but there is a strong possibility that they dynamic defensive back can return in time for 2016 training camp for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville has had a fantastic offseason, improving their young corps greatly both through 2016 NFL free agency and an outstanding 2016 NFL Draft. While getting former New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara definitely helps Jacksonville in the back-end, the notion of selecting Ramsey at No. 5 was that the Jaguars would be getting some type of hybrid player between Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Tyrann Mathieu.

The Jaguars have a great chance to contend for an AFC South crown in 2016 with their strong passing game, but if this Ramsey knee injury proves more significant than initially reported, Jacksonville may miss the AFC Playoffs for the ninth straight season.

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