ChristianKirk

News: 2 days agoKirk is dealing with a "mild" calf injury and won't practice this week, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Spin: Coach Doug Pederson termed the absence "precautionary" and said Kirk will be re-evaluated next week, per Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville. The Jags plan to rest key players this upcoming Saturday against Tampa Bay, after giving most of the top guys (including Kirk) a single drive in a preseason-opening win over the Chiefs on Sunday. A mild calf injury -- with three and a half weeks to go before the regular-season opener -- isn't especially likely to threaten Kirk's availability for the games that actually matter.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: A return to the top of the depth chart in Jacksonville could define Kirk's 2024. Calvin Ridley's arrival in Jacksonville last season saw Kirk assume a smaller share of the passing market, resulting in per-game production in the WR3 and flex tier among receivers. A core injury that required surgery and an IR stint also slowed his production. This marked a decline from Kirk's surprisingly strong WR2 finish in his 2022 debut season with the team. Yet with Ridley off to the rival Titans and the arrival of lower-volume field-stretcher Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., Kirk has a realistic path to pace the depth chart in opportunities as a top option for Trevor Lawrence. Consider Kirk as a flex.