The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 21-day window for defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton to return from the injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.
Hamilton, 26, appeared primed for a breakout season after a strong training camp and preseason, but landed on the injured reserve while dealing with what the team called a “non-football related medical issue.” Specifics about the problem haven’t been released, but the Jaguars told reporters two weeks ago that the tackle was dealing with an infection and was nearly done taking antibiotics.
With his 21-day window open, Hamilton will begin practicing with the team Thursday, but won’t count against the team’s 53-man roster limit until he’s activated. That can happen any time before Thursday, Nov. 2. If Hamilton still hasn’t been activated by that point, the Jaguars will have to move him to the active roster or lose him for the remainder of the year on injured reserve.
It likely won’t come to that, as the opening of Hamilton’s window suggests he’s close to ready to make his return.
Without the contributions of Hamilton, the Jaguars are allowing 3.7 yards per rushing attempt (10th best in the NFL). However, the team is 26th in sacks and has struggled to push the pocket from the interior. All nine of the teams sacks have been recorded by outside linebackers.
