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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars are releasing cornerback Darious Williams and safety Rayshawn Jenkins, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday. The moves will save the team $16.65 million in salary cap space.
The Jaguars released defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi on Monday and the three moves save the Jaguars a total of $20.17 million, which gives the team approximately $50.2 million in salary cap space according to the Roster Management System. That gives them more wiggle room with the expected franchise tag to be applied to pass-rusher Josh Allen, which comes with a fully guaranteed $24 million salary in 2024.
Williams tied his career high with four interceptions — taking one back for a touchdown — and forced two fumbles to go along with 53 tackles in 2023. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with $18 million guaranteed with the Jaguars in March 2022.
Williams had four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 106 tackles in two seasons with the Jaguars.
Williams, who grew up in Jacksonville, signed with Baltimore in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. He played in three games before being cut and was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams. He played three-plus seasons with the Rams, intercepting six passes and recovering two fumbles.
Jenkins made two of the biggest plays of the Jaguars’ 2022 season, returning an interception for a touchdown in overtime in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys and making a strip sack that Allen returned for a touchdown in a Week 18 victory over the Tennessee Titans in a victory that won the AFC South.
Jenkins had five interceptions, three forced fumbles, 24 pass breakups and 290 tackles in three seasons with the Jaguars after signing a four-year, $35 million contract with $16 million guaranteed in March 2021.
He spent the first four years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he had five interceptions, nine pass breakups and 174 tackles. The Chargers drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 out of Miami.
The news of Tuesday’s releases was first reported by Bleacher Report.
Source: www.espn.com