Jaguars remove Josh Allen from COVID-19 list

Former Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik award winner Josh Allen has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list following a two-week stay.

The third-year EDGE rusher missed the last two preseason games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, it appears that Allen will now be back in time for Jacksonville’s opener on Sept. 12 when the Jaguars travel to Houston to take on the Texans in an AFC South divisional game. In that game, both head coach Urban Meyer and quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be making their NFL debuts.

We have activated DE/OLB Josh Allen from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 30, 2021

As a rookie, Josh Allen had a spectacular season in 2019 as he played in all 16 games for the Jaguars recording 44 tackles (31 solo), 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. With 23 total QB hits, Allen ranked in the top-15 in the NFL. The former Kentucky star appeared to be on his way to professional football stardom.

However, the sophomore slump came in 2020 with Allen playing in just eight games. During that shortened season, Allen recorded 13 tackles (7 solo) and 2.5 sacks. The Jaguars are hopeful that the 24-year-old returns to his rookie form this fall.

The Jaguars just spent a pair of first-round draft picks on the offensive side of the ball taking Lawrence and Clemson running back Travis Etienne Jr. to help bolster the offense. Allen is one of many young players on defense that this new coaching staff will be depending on.

Back in 2018, Allen put together one of the best seasons in Kentucky football history. The Jack linebacker finished the year with 88 tackles (56 solo), 17 sacks, and five forced fumbles. The 6-foot-5 defender was a menace on the outside and that big season led him to be taken by the Jaguars at No. 7 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Now Allen will look to get back on track this year in Jacksonville after a short stay on the COVID-19 list.