Yannick Ngakoue will end holdout, report to Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been missing one of the most important pieces of their defense throughout their offseason workouts this year, but the key holdout is coming to an end.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has decided to end his holdout. Though, he didn’t really have much of a choice, as he had to report by Tuesday at the latest to avoid having his contract toll.

Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue needed to report by Tuesday to have this season count as accrued season to free agency, and he will. He now is scheduled to be a UFA after this season.

Remaining holdouts: Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, Trent Williams, with Jadeveon Clowney unsigned. https://t.co/soPB5T1ngE

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2019

Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks last season and has 29.5 in his first three years in the NFL. The former third-round pick is set to make around $2 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract. He has not missed a game in his NFL career.

The Jaguars are already down one key piece of their defense for 2019, so that may give Ngakoue added leverage in contract talks.