The Jacksonville Jaguars’ strategy for slowing down the most dangerous weapon on the Washington Commanders offense isn’t too extravagant.
On Thursday, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said the team doesn’t plan on having a defensive back shadow wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
“We really don’t have to,” Caldwell said. “Right now, we’re thinking ‘Let’s stay left and right.’ If we need to do something like that, we can do it, but we have confidence in our three starting corners that we can go out and do what we need to do.”
McLaurin, who turns 27 next week, received a massive three-year, $68.2 million extension in the offseason after averaging just over 1,000 receiving yards per year in his first three NFL seasons. While the Jaguars don’t plan on having a player follow McLaurin, Caldwell also made it clear that the team respects the threat he presents Sunday.
“I call him a five-star,” Caldwell said. “I know that might be a college term, but he’s a five-star. There are guys who are go-to guys, and he’s a go-to guy. He’s got the speed, he’s got the routes, he’s got the hands. So he’s going to be a challenge for us.”
Last season, McLaurin caught 77 passes for 1,053 yards with five receiving touchdowns.