Dante Fowler Jr. Injury: Updates on Jaguars DE's Knee and Return

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr., the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft, suffered a torn ACL in rookie minicamp on May 8 and is out for the season.

Continue for updates.

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Fowler Undergoes Surgery on Torn ACL

Thursday, May 28

John Oehser of Jaguars.com reported that Fowler underwent surgery on his injured ACL and that Dr. James Andrews performed the procedure.

On May 9, the Jaguars announced that Fowler suffered a torn ACL and would be out for the season.

Fowler spoke about the injury on Twitter:

 Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union added more from Fowler:

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Fowler said when he crumbled to the turf, it was a "nasty feeling."

"I planted on my left leg ... my weight shifted one way and my foot got caught in the dirt," he said.

Fowler later added of the workout: "It was a great first hour. I was feeling it." ...

"Things happen for a reason," Fowler said. "It's a bittersweet thing right now. This is the bad part. In the future, we'll look back and talk about it. I was really blessed to go out yesterday and be on the practice field again.

"Coach Gus said there are going to be good things and challenges. The good thing is we're able to go out and practice [Friday] and show we're capable. The bad part was the injury, but I'll get over it."

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Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports reported that no other ligaments were damaged.

Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com provided footage of the injury:

Adam Schefter of ESPN and Garafolo provided details on how this impacts Fowler's contract status:

Jaguars tackle Watts Dantzler, who was blocking Fowler in the drill when he was hurt, discussed the injury with Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union, per O'Halloran:

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I don't know what happened. I just was kicking back and punched him and then he just fell down. I feel terrible. He's a good player. I feel like [expletive]. I'm getting killed on Twitter.

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Dantzler also added, per DiRocco, "I went to apologize to him and he was like, 'You're good, man. It's just football.'"

That's obviously not the way the Jaguars wanted to start rookie minicamp. Many viewed Fowler as one of the top pass-rushing prospects in the class and expected him to immediately assume a large role at defensive end.

Now, his status is already a dark cloud for an extended period. Jacksonville will hope this is nothing that will linger long into Fowler's career.