Tyson Alualu injury: Jaguars may have moved to DE because of knee

The Jacksonville Jaguars decided to move former first-round pick Tyson Alualu from defensive tackle to defensive end a few weeks ago, as most expected would be the case in new head coach Gus Bradley's defense. In Seattle, the Seahawks did something similar with Red Bryant, moving him to the strong-side end position to help stifle the run game.

There is some belief however that part of the reason for the move was to take stress off of Alualu's knee, which he had micro-fracture surgery on his knee following his rookie year with the Jaguars. Dan Pompei of the National Football Postbelieves this is a big reason for kicking Alualu outside.

Alualu has knee problems that have taken away some of his short area quickness. His knee should be less vulnerable playing outside. Since the Jaguars chose Alualu with the 10th pick of the 2010 draft, he never has shown the explosiveness he had at Cal. So he likely won't be a big sack guy at end, but he should hold the point well and play solid run defense.

Alualu's knee has been a crutch for people defending him since his rookie season, when he injured his knee in the first day of practice running the Oklahoma Drill and then never being able to play a down fully healthy. The idea when drafting Alualu was that he would be able to rush the passer from the interior on the defensive line, but that never materialized.

Alualu's days at defensive tackle with the Jaguars appear to be over, however.

Keep reading:

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• Tyson Alualu moving to DE

• Sen'Derrick Marks forcing his way on the field