The Jaguars declined Rivera's $1.25 million team option for 2018 on Tuesday, making the tight end an unrestricted free agent March 14, Mike Kaye of FirstCoastNews.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera will finish his Jacksonville tenure without ever having played a down after a preseason wrist injury resulted in the Jaguars shuffling him to injured reserve prior to the opener. The 27-year-old was at risk of being cut following the preseason even if he had stayed healthy, so it wasn't a major surprise the Jaguars decided to part ways with him in free agency. Rivera displayed some aptitude as a pass catcher during his first four seasons in the league with the Raiders, but his poor blocking is something that could limit him to a deep reserve role no matter where he lands next.

Rivera (wrist) was placed on injured reserve Friday, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

An unspecified wrist injury doomed Rivera's first season with the Jaguars before it even started. He's likely stuck on IR through season's end.

Rivera (wrist) isn't a lock for the final roster, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera hasn't practiced since Aug. 1 and is set to miss the entire preseason, putting his Week 1 availability in serious question. The extended absence could impact his role even if he stays with the team, as he hasn't had an opportunity to prove that he's deserving of a key role in the offense. The team doesn't have a proven pass-catching option to complement 33-year-old starter Marcedes Lewis.

Rivera (wrist) has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason game against the Panthers, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera is yet to appear in the preseason for the Jaguars, as this will be his third straight absence. The team is yet to report whether or not Rivera is in any danger of missing the start of the regular season, so he should continue to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Rivera (wrist) didn't practice Saturday, Ryan O'Halloran of Jacksonville.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera missed both of the Jaguars' first two preseason games due to the wrist injury. Though he's yet to return to practice, there hasn't been any concern Rivera is in danger of missing Week 1.

Rivera (undisclosed) did not play in Thursday night's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera is dealing with an undisclosed injury and has now sat out both of the Jaguars' preseason games. Very little information has been released on Rivera's injury, so there is currently no timetable for his return.

Rivera (undisclosed) didn't practice Monday, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera, who sat out last Thursday's preseason opener, is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Since the details of his situation remain guarded, it's hard to say when he'll be back in action.

Rivera (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera is nursing an undisclosed injury, per WTLV's Mike Kaye, so his absence isn't a shocker. It's unlikely veteran Marcedes Lewis gets much action either, so Ben Koyack and Neal Sterling should be in store for a significant workload.

Rivera could open the season as the Jaguars' No. 1 tight end, the Florida Times-Union reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the Jags haven't released an official depth chart, Rivera will likely have the advantage over veteran Marcedes Lewis, who's more effective as a run-blocker at this point in his career. With Julius Thomas out of the mix, Rivera will have an opportunity to bounce back after a pair of disappointing seasons in Oakland that came on the heels of a breakout year in 2014. Last season, the 26-year-old Rivera caught a career-low 18 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown, as rookie Clive Walford emerged as Derek Carr's favored tight end target.

The Jaguars and Rivera agreed to a contract Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rivera visited some TE-needy teams this offseason (the Jets and Colts) but ultimately settled on the Jaguars, who currently roster six other players at the position. Helping his cause for playing time, though, is his stature as an H-back, from which he hauled in 146 of 230 passes for 1,413 yards and 10 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Raiders. Depending on how the Jaguars emerge from this year's draft, Rivera's primary competitor for work at the moment is long-time Jag, Marcedes Lewis (calf).