JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed first-round pick Jalen Ramsey. They're just not sure when he'll be able to start earning that contract.
Ramsey, whom the Jaguars took with the fifth overall pick last month, is scheduled to see noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews this week to seek a second opinion on the torn meniscus in his right knee. Depending on the type of surgical procedure required, Ramsey could miss anywhere from six weeks to six months.
That didn't keep the Jaguars from signing the 6-foot-2, 209-pound cornerback to a four-year deal worth $23.3 million with a $15.1 million signing bonus. The Jaguars did the same thing last year with first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr., signing him to his rookie contract days after Fowler tore his left ACL during rookie minicamp. Fowler missed the entire season.
Ramsey suffered the injury during the second phase of the offseason conditioning program early last week, but a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Ramsey was unaware he did so. His knee was sore after practice and he sought treatment. An MRI the next day revealed the tear.
Ramsey had a previous injury to that knee in high school which required microfracture surgery.