National Football League

Jaguars lose leading tackler Paul Posluszny for season

Published Oct. 20, 2014 2:17 p.m. ET

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The reveling that the Jacksonville Jaguars did after winning their first game of the season lasted shorter than expected.

Less than 24 hours following their 24-6 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns, the Jaguars announced middle linebacker Paul Posluszny --€“ who was on pace to lead the team in tackles for the fourth time in as many seasons -- was placed on injured reserve and will undergo season-ending surgery later this week to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

Posluszny came off the field favoring his left arm after sacking Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer almost halfway through the fourth quarter. He went back into the game later, and the initial diagnosis was that of a muscle strain.

But the injury turned out to be worse than that for Posluszny, who had started in 54 of 55 games since coming to the Jaguars as a free agent in 2011 from the Buffalo Bills.

"It's tough because he is talented," coach Gus Bradley said Monday at his media briefing. "And he's the captain of our team and a leader."

Fourth-year pro J.T. Thomas, who started at an outside linebacker spot against the Browns, will move into Posluszny's position and likely start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. That could mean more playing time at outside linebacker for LaRoy Reynolds and Dekoda Watson backing up Geno Hayes and rookie Telvin Smith.

Reynolds lost his starting job during the Jaguars' 0-6 beginning to the season but came up with huge plays on special teams each of the past two weeks. Watson, who came over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year, has been used sparingly on defense.

Rookie Jeremiah George, who was signed from the New York Jets' practice squad last month, could also benefit from the loss of Posluszny. George was among the seven players listed as inactive against the Browns.

"We talk about being developmental coaches and allowing guys to develop within our system so when opportunities like this present themselves, guys can step in and we can move on," Bradley said.

In addition to Posluszny, the Jaguars learned defensive end Andre Branch will be out six weeks after tearing a groin muscle. Branch had three sacks for the season, one behind team leader Chris Clemons.

The Jaguars rank second in the NFL in sacks this season with 22. Only the Bills, with 24, have more.

Fifth-round draft pick Chris Smith, who had been on the Jaguars' practice squad since Sept. 15, will be promoted to the active roster to make up for the loss of Branch.

In encouraging news on the health front, the Jaguars announced that fourth-round pick Aaron Colvin --€“ a cornerback who has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list resulting from a knee injury nine months ago -- will practice for the first time Wednesday. They also said tight end Marcedes Lewis can practice at the beginning of next week for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in their second game.

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.

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