Jacksonville Jaguars' Aaron Kampman done for the year
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defence was dealt a severe blow on Thursday 11 November after it received the news that an injury to Aaron Kampman would bring a premature close to the defensive end’s season.
According to a report filed by The Associated Press, the Jags’ defensive leader tore his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while participating in a non-contact drill during Thursday’s practice.
The nine-year veteran, who is playing in his first season with Jacksonville after spending the last eight with the Green Bay Packers, will eventually be placed on injured reserve and is expected to undergo surgery in the near future.
“It’s a shame because he’s a special young man in a lot of different ways, not only on the field but in the locker room, in the community,” Kampman’s coach, Jack Del Rio, said.
Jacksonville acquired the playmaker with a four-year, $25 million contract this past off-season in the hopes that he would rejuvenate a Jaguar defence that posted just 14 sacks a season ago, the league’s lowest output.
The acquisition of Kampman had, up to this point, produced dividends for the Jags, as the defensive end had racked up a team-high four sacks to go along with 30 quarterback pressures so far this season.
Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the defensive standout’s first such injury. Just last November, Kampman tore the ACL in his left knee. The fact that history is essentially repeating itself, with a twist comes as unwelcome news to Kampman and his teammates.
“Any time you have one of your main guys out for the year, especially with a guy that’s not just a starter but an impact player, it hurts,” Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis said.
“It hurts a lot. But those things happen all the time in the league, week-in and week-out it’s bound to happen.”
Still, considering his condition, Kampman remained optimistic. “It’s disappointing, definitely. I can honestly say that this last experience has made me a better man, has made me stronger. I have learned tremendous lessons through it and I guess I’ve got more
lessons to learn. I’ll attack it with the same vigour that I did previously and continue to move forward.”
Tags: