Jaguars rookie DT Jay Tufele out for a “few weeks” following surgery

The Jaguars will have to wait a bit to see what they’ve got from their rookie defensive tackle.

Jaguars defensive tackle Jay Tufele is slated to miss a “few weeks,” according to head coach Urban Meyer at this morning’s press conference following the team’s bye week.

Tufele would break his hand prior to the team’s contest against the Miami Dolphins last week. Now, the rookie fourth-round selection has undergone surgery, and won’t be back for a little while after finally becoming active for the first time this season against the Tennessee Titans.

For the Jaguars, Tufele becomes the latest rookie to miss time this season. The team lost first-round RB Travis Etienne for the year after the rookie was injured during the team’s second preseason game, forcing him to undergo surgery on his foot.

The team has also missed cornerback Tyson Campbell for a couple of weeks, though, Meyer stated he expects him to return this week. Of the team’s other rookies, only sixth-round tight end Luke Farrell, and of course QB Trevor Lawrence, has played significant snaps for the team.

Second-round pick, tackle Walker Little, has played sparingly as the team’s swing tackle over the last few weeks, third-round selection, safety Andre Cisco, has played just two snaps all season, Jordan Smith has yet to be active and seventh-round pick WR Jalen Camp was cut during the team’s final cuts in August.

The team’s production from its rookie class hasn’t been great this season, and Tufele becomes the latest to suffer a setback in that arena. The team will likely continue to use veteran DT Taven Bryan in his place over the remainder of the season.