The Jacksonville Jaguars signed offensive lineman Eli Cox, safety Kaevon Merriweather and tight end Hayden Rucci to the practice squad Sept. 1, 2026. The team also released offensive lineman Jimto Obidegwu from the practice squad.
Cox, 25, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Houston in 2025 and spent last season on the Texans practice squad. The Nicholasville, Kentucky, native attended Kentucky from 2019-24, where he started 47 of 56 games. Cox made 35 starts at center and 12 at right guard, including 38 consecutive starts to finish his college career, and was a two-time captain and All-SEC honoree.
Kentucky head coach Liam Coen served as the team’s offensive coordinator during two of Cox’s seasons, in 2021 and 2023.
Kaevon Merriweather Brings NFL Experience
Merriweather, 26, signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has played in 43 NFL games, including seven starts, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2023-25 and the Houston Texans in 2025.
Merriweather’s NFL totals include 31 tackles, 20 solo tackles, two passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack. The Belleville, Michigan, native played collegiately at Iowa, where he recorded 118 tackles, 79 solo tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble return for a touchdown. He was named a second-team AP All-American and an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection as a senior in 2022.
Hayden Rucci Joins Jacksonville Jaguars
Rucci, 25, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Miami in 2024. He appeared in four games and recorded one special teams tackle for the Miami Dolphins in 2025 after spending his rookie season on the Dolphins practice squad.
The Lititz, Pennsylvania, native attended Wisconsin from 2019-23 and played in 35 games, including 18 starts. Rucci recorded 17 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown at Wisconsin and was teammates with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen for two seasons from 2019-20. Rucci’s father, Todd, played offensive line in the NFL for eight seasons.
Source: Original report