JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Smith questions outrage over decision to step away

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith wants everyone to “stop going crazy” because he is stepping away from football for the 2019 season.

Smith, the team’s leading tackler the last two years, posted a video on his Instagram story Saturday in which he questioned the outrage over his decision.

“Why is it so crazy I want to step away from the game?” Smith said. “Y’all just chill. Everything’s solid, you feel me? Stop going crazy. It’s getting aggravating. You feel me? Football ain’t everything. Y’all better wake the (expletive) up.”

It was Smith’s first public comments since announcing in a letter Thursday that he is temporarily walking away from the game to “get my world in order.”

Smith’s decision surprised the Jaguars and caused speculation about his health, his family and his future with the franchise.

The speedy, undersized linebacker has missed just four games in five seasons, including two games during his Pro Bowl season in 2017 because of a concussion. He has 586 tackles, nine interceptions, 71/2 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Smith had been skipping voluntary workouts and declined to return calls from coaches and team officials. General manager Dave Caldwell seemed to sense something was amiss with Smith during the NFL draft, saying “we’ll see” when asked whether he expected Smith to be on the roster this fall.

The Jaguars have added six linebackers in the past two months, including signing former Green Bay starter Jake Ryan in free agency and drafting Murray State’s Quincy Williams in the third round.

Smith signed a four-year, $45 million extension in October 2017 that included $20 million guaranteed. He restructured that deal in March 2018, turning an $8 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, which allowed the team to create extra cap space.

He is due to make $9.75 million this season but would receive nothing if he stays away.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Quinn: Freeman, Neal, Allen to return by camp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn says running back Devonta Freeman and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are still on the mend and that he believes each of the injured starters will be ready for the start of training camp.

Freeman has missed 16 games since signing the NFL’s richest contract for a running back before the start of the 2017 season. Neal tore his ACL in the opener last year and was out the rest of the season. Allen tore his Achilles tendon two weeks later.

Freeman has had head, knee and groin injuries over the last two years. The Falcons ranked 27th in rushing last year, one of seven teams not to average 100 yards per game.

Quinn indicated at a rookie mini-camp Saturday that Freeman, who had season-ending groin surgery last October, is closest of the three to returning for a mandatory mini-camp next month.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Four of seven draft picks sign contracts

COSTA MESA, Calif.

The Los Angeles Chargers have four of the seven players they selected in the recent NFL draft under contract.

The team announced Saturday that it has signed the four players it selected on the final day of the draft. They are linebacker Drue Tranquill (fourth round), quarterback Easton Stick (fifth round), linebacker Emeke Egbule (sixth round) and defensive tackle Cortez Broughton (seventh round).

All four players are expected to add depth to a team that reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2013.

Associated Press