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According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars are intending to release veteran wide receiver Marqise Lee.
Lee is now fully healthy and is ready to sign with any team, just before the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off. The move will save the Jaguars $5,250,000 against their salary cap for this season, according to Spotrac.com.
A surprise: The #Jaguars are releasing WR Marqise Lee, source said. One of their most productive receivers is now a free agent – fully healthy and completely cleared medically — right before the draft.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2020
Lee, 28, has missed 26 games over the past two seasons after signing a four-year $34 million contract with $16.5 million guaranteed at signing. Lee missed the entirety of the 2018 season after suffering a catastrophic knee injury during the preseason of that year, and missed the majority of last season due to a shoulder injury which required surgery.
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Lee has accounted for 174 receptions for 2,184 yards, and eight touchdowns. However, over the past two years combined Lee has only been able to net three receptions for 18 yards — unable to remain healthy.
The Jaguars now enter 2020 with three top-wide receivers on the last year of their contract in Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, and Chris Conley. The team will almost assuredly address the position in this year’s deep wide receiver draft class.
The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday at 8 P.M. ET.
UPDATE: The Jaguars have officially waived Lee along with running back Taj McGowan
The #Jaguars have officially waived WR Marqise Lee and RB Taj McGowan, per the team.
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) April 20, 2020