Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges suffered a patella injury that’ll keep him out of action for a little while, coach Doug Pederson said.
“He had a patella injury in the game and he’s going to miss a little time,” Pederson said Monday during a Zoom call with reporters. “Not sure how much time, but he’ll miss the rest of training camp and won’t play in this last preseason game.”
Hodges, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, suffered the injury while blocking for a field goal in the first quarter of Jacksonville’s 25-7 win against the Detroit Lions. After the game, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters that the team believed it to be a patella injury and that further testing would reveal the extent of the injury.
Given the possibility of a patellar tendon tear, which likely would’ve ended Hodges’ rookie season before it began, the update from Pederson seems to indicate that the lineman avoided a significant injury.
Prior to the injury, Hodges was impressing coaches in training camp and preseason with his tenacity and physicality. He has also quickly endeared himself to Jaguars fans with cartwheels and high fives prior to camp practices.
Hodges spent his entire collegiate career as a starting right tackle for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, but has transitioned to guard with the Jaguars. He is currently listed on the depth chart as the second-team right guard behind Brandon Scherff.
