JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed veteran quarterback Landry Jones to fill the roster spot of defensive end Dante Fowler, Jr., who was dealt Tuesday to the Los Angeles Rams.
The team announced the signing on Wednesday. It's viewed as an insurance policy for starter Blake Bortles, whose health is a concern after Sunday's game, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported.
"Bortles is still expected to play in Week 10 at Indianapolis, as of now," Schefter tweeted.
Jaguars expected to sign former Steelers’ QB Landry Jones as insurance due to some concern about QB Blake Bortles’ health following last Sunday’s game in London, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2018
Bortles still is expected to play in Week 10 at Indianapolis, as of now.
Jones, a sixth-year veteran, was drafted in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has amassed a 3-2 record, 1,310 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 18 appearances, including five starts.
Most recently, Jones completed 23 of 27 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 28-24 victory over the Browns last December.
The Jaguars sent Fowler, a former first-round pick, to the Rams just ahead of the NFL trade deadline in exchange for a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick.
News4Jax sports analyst Mark Brunell said that the most significant news to come as a result of the signing is that Bortles has an injury that the Jaguars are worried about.
"What it tells me is that Blake Bortles has a significant shoulder injury," Brunell said. "With two weeks out, to bring in a guy because you are concerned that your quarterback is pretty banged up...that's what it tells me. I don't think we need to overthink it, it's just a precautionary move."
The Jaguars host the Steelers on Nov. 18, so Jones will be the perfect quarterback to guide the scout team in the practices leading up to the game. He will know what the Steelers want to do on offense as well as anyone.
"It makes perfect sense. It happens all the time," Brunell said. "If I'm Landry Jones, I want some assurances, I want a guarantee that I'm going to be around here a while."