Jacksonville Jaguars place Elizabethton native Parker Hughes on injured reserve

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WJHL) — Elizabethton native Parker Hughes’ rookie season has been cut short before it could fully get underway. The Jacksonville Jaguars placed Hughes on injured reserve Monday after the rookie linebacker suffered an injury during the team’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. Hughes, a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Middle Tennessee State, played during the first half against New Orleans before suffering the injury. He had been competing for a roster spot as part of a crowded Jacksonville linebacker room. The move to injured reserve comes as the Jaguars continue to deal with injuries at the linebacker position during the preseason. The team has not disclosed the specific nature of his injury. For Hughes, the designation means his rookie campaign is effectively over after just one preseason appearance. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.