Amid uncertainty in their starting quarterback position, Jacksonville Jaguars team owner Shad Khan said he’s open to signing veteran signal-caller Colin Kaepernick, who is still looking for employment in the NFL. According to Mike Dempsey of 1010 XL in Jacksonville, Florida, Khan said he has no problem signing Kaepernick to a deal if his football people would recommend it. Despite throwing for 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions last season with the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick drew little interest from the free-agent market.
Kaepernick’s unemployment is blamed on his kneeling during the national anthem last season as part of his protest against social injustice in the United States.
In May, he met with the Seattle Seahawks but did not receive any offer. Recently, the Baltimore Ravens expressed interest in Kaepernick after veteran starter Joe Flacco went down with back injury, but no deal happened.
Jaguars shallow at starting quarterback spot
Currently, the Jaguars have Blake Bortles and Chad Henne as possible starters. In his NFL career, Henne has thrown 58 touchdowns and 63 interceptions since he was selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Earlier, the Jaguars looked ready to install Bortles as their starter but head coach Doug Marrone declared the competition for the starting job open after Bortles struggled in the preseason. In two games, Bortles completed eight of 13 passes for 65 yards with no touchdown or interception.
In two preseason contests, Henne is 11-16 for 183 yards with one TD. He started 19 games for the Jaguars in 2012 and 2013, going 5-14. After that, the Jaguars picked Bortles in the first round, and Henne did not start ever since.
Third-string quarterback Brandon Allen fared better, going 15-for-22 for 229 yards with two touchdowns in two games.
Bortles, the third overall pick in 2014, has struggled in his career, throwing 51 interceptions in 46 career games and has failed to lead Jacksonville to the postseason in his three seasons at the helm. Kaepernick, for his part, has six playoff games on his resume.
Marqise Lee, Leonard Fournette hoping to return in Week 1
Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee and rookie rusher Leonard Fournette hope to return in Week 1 of the regular season when the team faces the Houston Texans.
At first, Lee thought that he broke his leg after he was carted off the field. However, the Jaguars got a break when it was determined that the injury was not severe. Lee is expected to carry the team’s receiving load after a career-best year last season.
