With Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Demetrius McCray suffering a knee contusion in Saturday's preseason loss to the New York Giants, fellow corner Dwayne Gratz may be poised to once again take on a larger role.
McCray, who had been working as one of Jacksonville's top three corners alongside Davin House and Aaron Colvin, sat out practice on Monday. Gratz said he's ready for an opportunity to show he can be a contributor on defense this season after starting 21 games over the last two years.
"It’s important, because it’s a big opportunity to display who I am as a person and a player,” Gratz said, per the team's official website. “Every opportunity you have to show that you have to take it as seriously as possible.”
Gratz, a third-round pick out of Connecticut in 2013, started 13 of the 15 games he played in last season, making 55 tackles with two forced-fumbles and an interception he returned for a touchdown. He missed time earlier in camp with a calf injury but declared himself fully healthy.
“I’m way past (the calf),” Gratz said. “It’s good to be back. As a competitor, you never want to be on the sideline.”
Gratz began 2014 as starter, but lost his spot to McCray after four weeks. He later rejoined the starting lineup after an injury to Alan Ball. Gratz returned to a reserve role with Jacksonville's signing of House in the offseason.
(h/t Jacksonville Jaguars)
