JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars placed tight end Marcedes Lewis on injured reserve Monday afternoon with a calf injury, possibly ending the time of one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history.
Lewis was hurt during the first half of the Jaguars' 26-19 loss at Detroit on Sunday. He caught two passes for 16 yards against the Lions before his injury. The tight end finishes his 11th season with the Jaguars with 20 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Lewis signed a three-year contract in March worth $12 million with $5 million guaranteed. His $4 million salary was guaranteed in 2016, but only $1 million of his $4 million salary in 2017 is guaranteed. Lewis has not figured prominently in the Jaguars' pass attack over the past four seasons, but he has been an effective blocker, and that's a prominent reason for the Jaguars to bring him back next season.
However, that also depends on which coaching staff is in place in 2017. Coach Gus Bradley, who has gone 14-44 in three-plus seasons, is expected to be fired after the season.
Lewis is the Jaguars' all-time leader in receptions (351), receiving yards (4,184) and receiving touchdowns (28) among tight ends. He also ranks fourth in franchise history in games played (154), and only one other player has played more seasons for the Jaguars (Brad Meester, 14).
Lewis was the second Jaguars player to be placed on injured reserve Monday. Left guard Patrick Omameh landed there after suffering a foot injury against the Lions. To fill those two roster spots, the Jaguars activated offensive tackle Josh Wells from IR/designated to return and claimed defensive tackle Jordan Hill off waivers from Washington.