The Jacksonville Jaguars today placed defensive tackle Andre Davis and linebacker Nate Dingle on injured reserve. They also activated tight end Chris Griffin from their practice squad and signed defensive end Juan Hammonds to the active roster. The team's active roster remains at 53 players.
Davis suffered a dislocation fracture of his right ankle in last Sunday's game at Baltimore. A rookie free agent, he had played the last two games after having been on the team's practice squad for the first 10 games of the season. He originally signed on August 27 after having spent training camp with the St. Louis Rams. Davis, 21, played for the Southern University Jaguars in 1995.
Dingle injured an Achilles tendon in the Baltimore game. He also played in the last two games, seeing action on special teams, after having been signed on October 15. Dingle, 24, spent the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995.
Griffin, 22, was originally signed to the Jaguars' practice squad on September 10. A sixth-round draft choice of the New England Patriots who was cut during training camp, he scored nine touchdowns on 30 receptions in four years at the University of New Mexico while starting 20 of 41 games played. He is a native of Lafayette, La.
Hammonds, 24, spent the 1996 training camp with the Buffalo Bills until being waived in the final cuts. He was a member of the developmental squad of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts in 1995. Hammond was a three-year starter at Michigan State. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and the team's outstanding defensive lineman in 1994.
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Wide receiver Jimmy Smith has signed a new contract with the Jaguars. Length and terms were not disclosed. Smith, the team's second-leading receiver this season with 58 catches for 822 yards and five touchdowns, is in his second season in Jacksonville. He was one of the team's first receivers to sign a contract, doing so on February 28, 1995.
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SPORTS EDITORS/SPORTS DIRECTORS NOTE: Telephone conference calls with Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson and head coach Bruce Coslet will take place on Wednesday at 12:15 and 12:25, respectively, in the Jaguars media room.
Also, for updating rosters, Chris Griffin will wear number 81 and Hammonds will wear number 97.
