CHEMICAL SOLDIER
09-20-2005, 05:16 PM
Looks like The Jags Captain is done. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9410069/
SportsTicker
Updated: 3:50 p.m. ET Sept. 20, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars lost more than a game on Sunday.
The team announced Tuesday that veteran safety Donovin Darius has a torn left ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Darius suffered the injury on a punt return play in the second quarter of Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
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The loss is a major blow for a defense that is built around a nucleus of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson at the tackle positions, Mike Peterson at middle linebacker and Darius at strong safety.
Darius, 30, tied for the team lead with five interceptions and was third on the squad with 89 tackles — both career highs — last season.
“Donovin is an integral part of our defense,” Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. “But this will give a chance to Deke Cooper to step up and be a starter in this league.”
Cooper, who is in his third season with the Jaguars, recorded two tackles and defended a pass after replacing Darius in the loss to Indianapolis.
“We don’t anticipate a big dropoff,” Smith said of the transition from Darius to Cooper. “Donovin is really strong against the run, but Deke is an all-around safety who can play the run and pass.”
Slide show: The Week in Sports Pictures
University of Florida celebrates win over University of Tennessee in Gainesville
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• Sept. 12 - 19
Click to see a flying Falcon, an unusual bike and much more
Cooper, 27, started 10 games at free safety in 2003 for the Jaguars and ranked seventh on the team with 74 tackles, but had just one interception. He was used primarily as a reserve last season after the Jaguars signed Deon Grant as a free agent and had 35 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Darius, who had been designated as the team’s franchise player for the last three years, signed a three-year extension through 2008 in July.
A first-round pick in 1998, Darius has played in 105 games with the Jaguars, recording 796 tackles, 14 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and six fumble receoveries.
Darius made headlines for a helmet-jarring, clothesline hit on Green Bay Packers receiver Robert Ferguson in a game last December 19. The NFL fined Darius $75,000 for unnecessary roughness, but did not suspend him because he had no prior history of on-field violations.
© 2005 SportsTicker
SportsTicker
Updated: 3:50 p.m. ET Sept. 20, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars lost more than a game on Sunday.
The team announced Tuesday that veteran safety Donovin Darius has a torn left ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Darius suffered the injury on a punt return play in the second quarter of Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Story continues below ↓ advertisement
The loss is a major blow for a defense that is built around a nucleus of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson at the tackle positions, Mike Peterson at middle linebacker and Darius at strong safety.
Darius, 30, tied for the team lead with five interceptions and was third on the squad with 89 tackles — both career highs — last season.
“Donovin is an integral part of our defense,” Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. “But this will give a chance to Deke Cooper to step up and be a starter in this league.”
Cooper, who is in his third season with the Jaguars, recorded two tackles and defended a pass after replacing Darius in the loss to Indianapolis.
“We don’t anticipate a big dropoff,” Smith said of the transition from Darius to Cooper. “Donovin is really strong against the run, but Deke is an all-around safety who can play the run and pass.”
Slide show: The Week in Sports Pictures
University of Florida celebrates win over University of Tennessee in Gainesville
Launch
• Sept. 12 - 19
Click to see a flying Falcon, an unusual bike and much more
Cooper, 27, started 10 games at free safety in 2003 for the Jaguars and ranked seventh on the team with 74 tackles, but had just one interception. He was used primarily as a reserve last season after the Jaguars signed Deon Grant as a free agent and had 35 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Darius, who had been designated as the team’s franchise player for the last three years, signed a three-year extension through 2008 in July.
A first-round pick in 1998, Darius has played in 105 games with the Jaguars, recording 796 tackles, 14 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and six fumble receoveries.
Darius made headlines for a helmet-jarring, clothesline hit on Green Bay Packers receiver Robert Ferguson in a game last December 19. The NFL fined Darius $75,000 for unnecessary roughness, but did not suspend him because he had no prior history of on-field violations.
© 2005 SportsTicker