Jaguars DE Josh Allen sets new franchise record for single-season sacks

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen set the new franchise record for single-season sacks on Sunday against the Panthers. First, Allen tied former Jacksonville star Calais Campbell‘s franchise record after sacking Bryce Young early in the second quarter. He then broke the record and etched his name alone at the top of the record book with his 15.5 sacks through 16 games this season. Campbell’s previous record of 14.5 sacks was set in 2017. He added one more to bring his single-season total to 16.5 in the fourth quarter.

The former first-round draft pick seemed destined to break the record on Sunday, going up against the Carolina Panthers’ meager offensive line. The unit had given up 56 sacks coming into the Week 17 game. The lost yardage amounts to 433 yards this season.

Josh Allen has set a new Jacksonville Jaguars single-season sack record with 15.5 QB takedowns. pic.twitter.com/dKRWNzILvD

— KSR (@KSRonX) December 31, 2023

Before Sunday, Allen had 13.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and an interception this season. He also had 55 total tackles with eight tackles for loss. His previous career-high of 10.5 sacks came as a rookie for Jacksonville in 2019.

Allen’s performance against the Panthers is his seventh multi-sack game of the year. He posted hat tricks in sacks twice earlier in the season in games against the Colts and the Falcons.

The Jaguars drafted Josh Allen with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. He became an immediate impact player for Jacksonville. After the first four years of his rookie contract ran out, the Jaguars opted to exercise his fifth-year option for $10.892 million. He’s due for a huge payday this offseason before he hits the free-agent market.

Jaguars start CJ Beathard vs Carolina

The Jaguars are currently playing with their second-string quarterback, C.J. Beathard, with starter Trevor Lawrence out with an injury to his throwing shoulder.

Beathard is 2-10 in 12-career starts — all coming with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-2020. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in relief of Lawrence against Tampa Bay.

Jacksonville ruled out Lawrence, who has been diagnosed with a sprained right AC joint in his throwing shoulder, for this Sunday’s Week 17 home contest against the Carolina Panthers (2-13). Lawrence sustained the injury during this past Sunday’s 30-12 Week 16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7). The 24-year-old practiced in limited fashion Thursday, with head coach Doug Pederson calling him “day-to-day.”