JACKSONVILLE – Myles Jack will miss an NFL game for the first time Sunday.
Jack, the Jaguars' starting middle linebacker, will miss the Jaguars' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a knee injury – further weakening a defensive interior that has struggled against the run in recent weeks.
Jack, who had started all 62 of the Jaguars' regular- and postseason games since joining the team as a second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, was one of seven Jaguars players officially ruled out an hour and a half before kickoff of their game against the Buccaneers at TIAA Bank Field Sunday.
Safety Ronnie Harrison, officially ruled out Friday with a concussion sustained in a loss to Tennessee last week, also will be inactive Sunday. The Jaguars' other five game-day inactives: quarterback Josh Dobbs, cornerback Tae Hayes, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas, tight end Seth DeValve and defensive tackle Dontavius Russell.
Donald Payne will start at middle linebacker for Jack, with rookie undrafted free agent Andrew Wingard making his first NFL start in place of Harrison. Payne, who has played in 25 games for the Jaguars over the past three seasons, also will make his first NFL start.
Veteran Ben Koyack will start at tight end for DeValve, who is out for a third consecutive game with an oblique injury. Rookie Quincy Williams will make his seventh start of the season and his second in as many weeks at weakside linebacker.
