Jason Babin injury: Jaguars DE has groin surgery

The Jaguars will be without defensive end Jason Babin for the remainder of the offseason workout program, as head coach Gus Bradley told reporters that Babin had groin surgery on Tuesday morning.

Babin, 33, is a two-time Pro Bowler that was claimed by the Jaguars off waivers in November 2012 after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles. In five games with the Jaguars, he tallied 1.5 sacks to finish the season with a total of seven sacks, a significant drop-off from the 18 he recorded in the season prior.

In the Jaguars new-look defense, Babin is likely a safe bet to pencil in as the starter at the LEO position, a pass-rushing specialist position that will allow him to play in the wide 9-type of role he has been most successful in during his career. Although Babin is expected to return in time for training camp, this gives more of an opportunity for second-year defensive end Andre Branch to step into the role.

Other competitors for time at the LEO position include undrafted rookies J.D. Griggs and Paul Hazel, a pair of under-sized ends that will look to specialize in getting to the passer.

In nine NFL seasons, Babin has recorded 55 sacks with five different teams and is due to count $4.6 million against the cap in 2013 before escalating to over $6.4 million in each of the two following seasons.