JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed seventh-year DT Akeem Spence to the active roster. To make room, the Jaguars placed ninth-year DT Marcell Dareus on the team's injured/reserve list.
Spence, 6-1, 303, was originally drafted in the fourth round (100th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, where he played in all 16 games in three of four seasons, tallying 98 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and added three fumble recoveries. He followed his tenure in Tampa Bay with one-year stints in Detroit and Miami. While with the Lions, Spence totaled 29 tackles and career-high-tying 3.0 sacks, before registering a career-high 42 tackles in 16 starts during the 2018 season as a member of the Dolphins. Most recently, he played in six games this season with the Eagles after signing with the team on Sept. 11, 2019 and posted seven tackles.
His career totals include 186 tackles (113 solo), including 19 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.
Spence attended the University of Illinois where he started in all 38 games (every contest of his collegiate career) and made 186 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Prior to his time in Champaign, Ill., he attended Fort Walton Beach High School where he also threw shot put and discus in track & field.
Spence will wear No. 97 for the Jaguars.
