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Jaguars second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller battling back — once again — from an injury
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- Jaguars second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller battling back — once again — from an injury
It was a preseason going as well as any fourth-round draft pick could have expected.
Ventrell Miller had battled back smartly from a Jones Fracture injury his senior season at the University of Florida in 2022 and was competing with Shaq Quarterman and Caleb Johnson for the Jacksonville Jaguars ' fourth linebacker spot.
Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) smiles during practice during an organized team activity.
Miller had eight solo tackles through the first three preseason games to lead the team. He also had two sacks to tie Jeremiah Ledbetter for the preseason lead and had three quarterback hurries.
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But after making five tackles in little more than two periods of work in the final preseason game against Miami , Miller pulled up lame and a few days later, the worst was confirmed: he had a right Achilles tendon injury and was out for the season.
Nine months later, Miller said he's "100 percent" and is flying around the field for the team's OTA sessions — most of it with a huge smile on his face.
How will Ventrell Miller fit in?
No one's in pads yet, so Miller is trying not to get ahead of himself.
But that doesn't keep him from being optimistic that he will contribute this season in new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's system that will include more 4-3 looks.
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Miller even looked at the year of inactivity off the football field as a "blessing," since he studied, watched film, went through linebacker and special teams meetings and did his best to learn from veterans such as Foye Oluokun, Quarterman and Johnson.
"I was able to rehab and not worry about my body and while still being around in meetings," he said after the Jaguars OTA session May 28. "I was still able to grow as a rookie and then took advantage of the offseason to keep grinding. I'm excited, looking forward to this year."
Miller is learning from Foye Oluokun
Miller (6 feet, 232 pounds) is penciled in behind Oluokun in the middle and he made sure to observe the NFL's leading tackler over the last three seasons — and one of the defense's leaders — to see how it's done.
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"He's a vocal leader and also leads by example," Miller said. "He's a great communicator and with his motor he's always flying around and he's definitely a good veteran to be behind."
Miller is used to battling adversity from injuries. After finishing second in tackles for the Gators in 2019 and first in 2020 (with 88, including 3.5 sacks and 7.5 for losses), he played only two games as a junior because of a biceps injury.
Miller came back in 2022 ( his sixth season on campus ) to play 11 games, starting 10, with 74 tackles, 8.5 for losses and two forced fumbles. He sustained the Jones Fracture on the right side of his right foot but was given the option of playing on it all season before surgery, once it was determined he couldn't hurt it worse.
Ventrell Miller (51) had 74 tackles, 8.5 for losses, two forced fumbles and two passes broken up as a senior for the Florida Gators in 2022.
Miller was unable to participate in the NFL Combine or test because of the Jones Fracture surgery but the Jaguars took a chance on him, hoping that his fly-to-the-ball instincts wouldn't desert him.
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They didn't in the preseason, but then came the Achilles injury.
More missed time. More rehab. But Miller has pronounced himself fit and ready.
"It feels great," he said.
Ryan Nielsen's scheme has Jags LBs 'rolling'
Miller said he loves Nielsen's scheme so far and said it gives the linebackers more freedom.
"We've got the linebackers rolling," he said excitedly. "I feel good about a system that is designed for us to make a play."
The Jaguars are still in the midst of OTAs but Nielsen said he likes Miller's enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
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"Yeah, absolutely," he said.
Nielsen said before the team's OTA on May 20 that the proof will come when the pads go on in late July.
"We told the guys there's no depth chart," he said. "You're going to get your reps out there. For Ventrell, it's what he does with his opportunity and that's going to be what's important. We don't have pads on ... no one's making the team today. It's a long process but so far, so good."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ventrell Miller scraps for Jaguars roster spot after third serious injury
