Dante Fowler sidelined with shoulder injury

News broke over the weekend that defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. would be starting training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to an injury. There was some mystery about Fowler’s injury and some fuel was added to that mystery when a local reporter mentioned he thought Fowler had lost noticeable muscle mass. Turns out, Fowler was dealing with a left shoulder injury which was confirmed by Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone on Wednesday.

“The two roster designations that we want to talk about are obviously that Dante Fowler is on the PUP with a left shoulder [injury]. He will be working to strengthen that shoulder,” Marrone said during his opening statement meeting with the media on Wednesday. “You will see him on the side working out there. When the strength level comes to a point where we feel very comfortable and obviously our doctor clears him, then we will put him on the field.”

The details of Fowler’s specific injury were not disclosed and they don’t need have to be disclosed yet per NFL rules, but the fact that the Jaguars had to place him on the PUP list and he missed all of OTAs does raise some eyebrows.

With Fowler having allegedly lost some upper body mass and missing so much time, it makes me wonder if Fowler has a rotator cuff or labrum issue. There’s yet to be a timetable set, but that’s already about three to four months of no practice for Fowler and light work on the side, so I’d be surprised if he’s ready for Week 1 of the season, which he’d have been suspended for anyway.