Jacksonville Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue ends holdout, reports to training camp
One of the more high-profile NFL holdouts as training camp began has ended, as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue reported to practice Sunday and will play this season on the final year of his rookie deal, he said.
The team tweeted a video that showed him walking toward the practice field and head coach Doug Marrone was pleased to regain one of the Jacksonville defense's key pieces.
"Happy to have him back and ready to go," Marrone said. "We're excited. He's ready to go. He's in great shape and we're all together."
Marrone didn't anticipate needing to bring Ngakoue up to speed.
"Yan's always been in great shape, ready to go," Marrone said. "He's an anxious guy. He doesn't like taking it that way. When he's ready to go, he wants to go all the way. That's just how he is and how he's wound."
Ngakoue is entering the final year of a $3.84-million contract, and he's due to make just north of $2 million in base salary this season. He is also facing $528,650 in fines from skipping a three-day minicamp in June and nearly two weeks of camp. Through three seasons in the league, Ngakoue has recorded 29.5 sacks.
Speaking to reporters after practice, Ngakoue made it clear he's betting on himself this season to cash in when he becomes a free agent.
"At the end of the day, they had a chance to sign me for a long-term deal but it didn't get done. It is what it is," he said. "Like I said, I love football, love my teammates, and I'm here to play games."
Of the big names to hold out this summer, Ngakoue and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who signed a record extension last week, are the only ones to have resolved their issues. Running backs Melvin Gordon (Los Angeles Chargers) and Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys) are among those still holding out.
Contributing: Associated Press