Agencies/New York


Pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top draft pick, sustained a torn ACL in the team’s first rookie minicamp practice on Friday and is expected to miss the 2015 season, the NFL team said.
The loss of Fowler, the third overall pick in the NFL draft, was a devastating blow for the Jaguars, who are hoping to rebound from a 3-13 season in the AFC South.
Fowler, who played at the University of Florida, went down holding his left knee while rushing the passer in a team drill. He left the field with the help of trainers. The rookie was set to see major time for Jacksonville, furnishing their young defense with a high-energy, edge rusher.   
Offensive tackle Watts Dantzler, who was engaged with Fowler when the DE went down, said he didn’t know what happened to cause the injury.“I really honestly have no idea,” Dantzler said. “I was just kicking, got a punch on his shoulder, and he just went down. I don’t really know exactly what happened. I feel terrible about it.”
Fowler has not yet signed his rookie contract. His deal is expected to be worth about $23 million, fully guaranteed, over four years (with a fifth-year team option).
Unsigned draft choices participating in minicamp sign an injury protection waiver. If there is an injury, the team will continue to negotiate in good faith as if the player were not injured.
A source confirmed to ESPN that Fowler had signed a waiver.The injury happened during a two-day camp that featured eight draft picks, nine first-year players and 28 workout players trying to get a shot at the NFL. Jacksonville had hoped to get all of them accustomed to the pace of practice and how to properly perform every drill.Fowler had 14½ sacks in three years at Florida, including 8½ last season, and was the best player on a solid defense.
The Jaguars were counting on Fowler to be a centerpiece of their defense and a starter from day one.Fowler took to Twitter to thank fans for their support and vowed to come back “better than ever.”