JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rushing the passer just got a lot harder for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team announced that starting defensive end Andre Branch will miss an extended period of time with an MCL sprain.
Branch suffered the injury in Friday night's preseason loss to the Detroit Lions. The fourth-year player left the game in the first quarter and did not return to the field.
"Branch is a big part of the defensive line as a group so basically everybody has to step up," said teammate and fellow pass rusher Chris Smith.
"Unfortunately, it's sad what happened and hopefully he gets a good MRI and he'll be good to go.