2012 NFL Offseason: Jaguars and Terrance Knighton Playing Waiting Game

Three months. And that is just for rest.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got the news Monday they had been waiting for about Terrance Knighton and the eye injury he sustained at a night club earlier in the month.

It would be three months just for the defensive tackle to heal from his injuries, which would keep him out of part offseason training, weightlifting and possibly preseason drills and games.

So Knighton, a fourth-year player from Temple, and the Jaguars will play the waiting game to see when he will be able to return to the team and help the defense that ranked sixth overall in the NFL last season.

If the defensive tackle comes back to the team at full strength, which is highly unlikely since reports from an article in the Florida Times-Union stated Knighton was basically shelved until the three-month period was over, would then have to get into playing shape, learn new drills from the defensive coaches and show he still has the mobility and focus to come in and deliver right away.

Then there is the issue of his playing weight, which has been a problem the past two seasons. Knighton  had been working before he was injured to get into playing shape, so weight would not hold him back from being able to start the offseason conditioning program and preseason games.

Knighton is not the only player who will not attend offseason training sessions for the team. Starters Maurice Jones-Drew—the league's leading rusher last season—and kicker Josh Scobee will also miss the offseason for different reasons. Head coach Mike Mularkey, general manager Gene Smith and director of player personnel Terry McDonough were all optimistic about Knighton's return.

The fact that Knighton was injured and will be out of action for a period of time could mean the team will refocus its attention in the draft. Defensive tackle may now be a position the team looks to in terms of adding depth. A player such as Brandon Thompson of Clemson could be available to the team in the third round. The front line of the defense had already been under scrutiny because defensive end Aaron Kampman and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu were healing this offseason from injury as well.