Jaguars' Andre Branch likely to miss significant time with MCL sprain

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without defensive end Andre Branch for a significant amount of time to start the season while he recovers from an MCL sprain, head coach Gus Bradley announced Saturday.

Branch suffered the injury in the first quarter of Friday's 22-17 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions.

"That's a tough one for us," Bradley said. "The time frame, I know he won't be ready for the first game, but guys will step up. It's always tough when you lose a guy like that. He was playing well in training camp. But you can never have enough rushers and guys will have to step up."

Bradley added Dan Skuta could be used as a rusher while Branch is sidelined.

Branch started off the 2014 season strong, recording three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Jaguars' first three games, but a groin injury caused him to miss seven of the final nine games.