The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they would be without defensive end Josh Allen Saturday by downgrading him from questionable to OUT and the list of defensive starters only increased Sunday. The team released its list of inactives for Week 5’s game against the Houston Texans and it revealed that linebacker Myles Jack and rookie cornerback CJ Henderson would be joining Allen after also being ruled questionable on Friday.
Today's inactives against the Texans:
▪ 6 QB Jake Luton
▪ 12 WR Dede Westbrook
▪ 23 CB CJ Henderson
▪ 41 DE/LB Josh Allen
▪ 44 LB Myles Jack
▪ 99 DT Daniel Ekuale— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) October 11, 2020
With all three starters watching from a distance, the Texans should have a relatively easy time putting up points against the unit which was already struggling at full strength. That said, the Jags’ offense will need to carry the team and the plan could be to lean on running back James Robinson to win the time of possession battle and keep their wounded defense off the field.
With Henderson out, and D.J. Hayden on injured reserve, the Jags will be without two of their top-3 cornerbacks. Earlier in the week, defensive coordinator Todd Wash hinted at this being the case and said the Jags will likely rely on a duo of Chris Claybrooks and Sidney Jones on the outside. Of course, that would allow Tre Herndon to kick in to the nickelback spot in Hayden’s place.
As for Jack, it appears Dakota Allen will start in his spot at weak-side linebacker. He was the player to replace Jack against the Cincinnati Bengals when he initially sustained his ankle injury and was able to garner seven total tackles in the process.
As for Allen’s replacement, it seems as though first-round rookie K’Lavon Chaisson will be the one to start in his place. If the Jags give Chaisson the nod, it would mark Chaisson’s first career start (in his hometown at that) as he’ll enter Sunday’s game with seven tackles and a sack to his name.