JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Since he became a Jaguar in 2022, Christian Kirk has been one of Trevor Lawrence's top targets.
In his first season in teal and black, Kirk caught 84 passes for more than 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. When he went down with an injury in Week 13 last season, he was the Jags' leader in receiving yards.
For Jaguars fans, there's nothing like seeing a strong, healthy Kirk on the field.
Last season, he missed four games because of a core injury that required surgery, but he had been playing through a groin injury for five games before. Needless to say, if anyone is ready for a fresh Jaguars season, it's Kirk.
"I definitely want to stay healthy this year," Kirk said. "I feel great, I feel strong, I feel fast, not in pain anymore. I'm really just excited because my body hasn't felt this good in a long time, just really looking forward to building throughout training camp."
Because of his injuries last season, Kirk takes extra steps in taking care of his body before hitting the field.
"I really take pride in my approach," he said. "The way I rehab, the way I prehab, the way I activate and get ready for practice. It's about a two-hour routine that I do before I get out every day. I'm doing everything, checking off the boxes."
Kirk added that there's more at stake this season, and he's ready for the pressure.
"I got a little bit more of a bite to me this year," he said. "Just with my sense of urgency within practice and not only pushing myself but everybody else around me. We can't wait for the opportunity to come to us. We have to go take it."
Kirk is in his seventh season in the NFL and plans on making the best of it in the 2024-25 season.