Christian Kirk News

Kirk missed a portion of the fourth quarter after suffering a knee injury on an incompletion from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but the wide receiver made a five-yard catch immediately before a Riley Patterson field goal that whittled the score to 27-20 with 25 seconds remaining. Ultimately, Kirk finished with seven receptions (on 14 targets) for 52 yards and one touchdown while adding an 18-yard rush. He'll turn his focus to recovering from the health concern this offseason.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Kirk remained on the turf after a pass directed his way by quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jaguars trainers evaluated Kirk's left leg on the field before assisting him off the field and directing him to the sideline tent, where he was diagnosed with a knee issue. If he's unable to return, he'll end the divisional round with six catches (on 13 targets) for 47 yards and one touchdown to go with an 18-yard carry.

After signing an attention-grabbing contract to join Jacksonville last offseason, Kirk showed his value on the field in Saturday's comeback win. He racked up a season-high 14 targets in the team's biggest matchup of the campaign, and he delivered by regularly getting open in the short and middle areas of the field to help the Jaguars consistently move the ball in the second half of the game. Most importantly, he caught a nine-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to help push the team to victory. Kirk has topped 75 receiving yards in four of his last seven contests heading into the AFC divisional round.

Kirk entered Saturday's game having been held under 50 receiving yards in four of his last six games, though he delivered with the AFC South title on the line. He got the Jaguars on the board with a 25-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter, and he accounted for the team's longest play from scrimmage on a 33-yard catch midway through the third quarter. It was a positive close to the campaign for Kirk, who managed to rack up career-high marks in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns during his first year in Jacksonville. He'll look to play a key role in the team's upcoming postseason run.

Kirk might have seen more activity in a more competitive game, but it was still disappointing that he drew only three of 21 targets in this setting. It's possible that the Texans made it a point to scheme against Kirk and tight end Evan Engram, leaving the normally quiet Marvin Jones open for six catches on seven targets, but the Jaguars need Kirk rather than Jones to step up if they're going to beat the Titans for the AFC South title in Week 18.

Kirk tied with Travis Etienne and Marvin Jones for second on the team in catches and was also the runner-up in targets. The talented offseason addition typically plays a much larger role, but Trevor Lawrence distributed the ball to more pass catchers than usual Thursday. Kirk's yardage total was his lowest since Week 5, a matter he'll look to rectify in a Week 17 road matchup against the Texans a week from Sunday.