Jaguars WR DJ Chark Jr. given green light, will play vs. Vikings

On Friday, the Jaguars announced that receiver DJ Chark Jr. will play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Chark entered the week after missing last week’s contest against the Cleveland Browns due to a rib injury. He was listed as limited on Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full on Friday.

Over the course of the season, Chark had not been able to get into much of a rhythm with the team’s quarterbacks, including last year’s starter in Gardner Minshew II. While dealing with various injuries throughout the season, including a chest/back injury that held him out for multiple weeks, Chark simply hasn’t produced in the same way as he did last season.

Still, when healthy, and when given the opportunity, Chark has produced. On the year, Chark has caught 41 passes for 534 yards and four touchdowns. Chark also posted the best game of this season at receiver against the Houston Texans in Week 9, accounting for seven receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown.

It was Week 9 that rookie quarterback Jake Luton received his first-career start, and playing time in the NFL. Luton, however, was benched last week for Mike Glennon who will also be starting this week against the Vikings, even while typical starter, Minshew, is fully healthy.

Glennon will be playing with Chark for the first time in his career. On Wednesday, the quarterback praised the receiver for what he’s seen in practice and while watching from afar last season.

“He’s a great player. I think watching from a distance last year I knew the name, I knew he was a good player,” Glennon said when asked about Chark. But when I got here this year, it was probably three days into camp where I remember going up to him like, ‘I didn’t know you were this good.’ I mean he can make a lot of plays.

“I’ve been with a lot of good receivers and he’s up there, so I’m excited to get the opportunity to hopefully play with him this week.”

A healthy Chark will be great for a Jaguars offense that has went through multiple starting quarterbacks and injuries throughout the season.