D.J. Chark‘s contract year has not started well, with the veteran wide receiver on IR. But the Jaguars have discussed the prospect of keeping him around beyond this season.

A fractured ankle sustained last week landed Chark on IR and clouds his future, but Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports notes the team held internal discussions about extending the fourth-year pass catcher this season. Chark formed a bond with Trevor Lawrence this offseason, per Jones, who adds the current regime — despite inheriting Chark — discussed a possible extension in order to develop some continuity after the franchise could not solidify long-term partnerships with Jalen Ramsey or Yannick Ngakoue.

A former second-round pick, Chark is the only Jaguar to clear 1,000 receiving yards in any of the past six seasons. The LSU product did so in 2019. Chark, 25, did not approach the 1,000-yard barrier last season, but his 706 yards — in 13 games — still led a woeful Jacksonville outfit.

The Jags have Laviska Shenault and Marvin Jones signed beyond this season, and Chark’s status has changed due to the ankle setback. This has continued a recent pattern for the productive wideout. Chark missed time last season for three different injuries and underwent finger surgery this offseason.

While Chark’s more severe ailment has interfered with his chance to make a pre-free agency statement, the Jags showing interest in another deal is certainly notable — even amid the turmoil engulfing the team’s current top decision-maker. The prospect of a Chark deal also looms as interesting given the unremarkable returns the team’s past two notable receiver re-ups — for Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee — produced.

The Jaguars lost one of their key offensive weapons tonight. Wide receiver DJ Chark was carted off the field during the first quarter of tonight’s game against the Bengals. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the wideout suffered a fractured ankle, an injury that will surely sideline him for the foreseeable future.

Chark had his ankle awkwardly bent back during a play. He was unable to put weight on his leg and was ultimately carted off the field. After initially being listed as “questionable” to return, the receiver was downgraded to “out.”

The former second-round pick had a breakout campaign in 2019, finishing with 1,028 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. His numbers took a step back in 2020, and through the first three games of the 2021 campaign, he hauled in only seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Fortunately for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, the passing game can still lean on receivers Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault. The team also activated Tavon Austin today, providing the team with another weapon.

Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark has been officially ruled out for tonight’s game against the Dolphins. Chark was previously listed as questionable with chest and back injuries and his condition has not improved.

Chark was uncharacteristically quiet in the Jaguars’ season opener against the Colts, though he did score the team’s first touchdown of 2020. Last week, he managed 84 yards off of just four catches, giving him seven grabs for 109 yards plus one touchdown through two games.

A second-round pick in 2018, Chark enjoyed a breakout season last year. With 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns, the Jaguars are counting on him for an encore. For now, Chark is only looking at a one-game absence, but the training staff will monitor him going forward. On the plus side, the Dolphins won’t have top cornerback Byron Jones either, so it could roughly amount to a wash for both clubs.

With Chark out, the Jaguars will head into tonight’s game with Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault, Chris Conley, and Collin Johnson as their top receivers. The Jags may also look to activate Dede Westbrook for additional depth.