Tag: Folorunso Fatukasi

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell: ‘The talent is here’

Mike Caldwell says the Jaguars defense can be good with the players it already has.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowed 40 points in Week 13, never forcing the Detroit Lions to punt or turn the ball over in a blowout loss that dropped the Jaguars to 4-8.

With much of the talk this week centered around what Jacksonville can do to right the ship, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said Thursday that the team isn’t in need of an infusion of new players.

“I think the talent is here,” Caldwell said in a press conference. “We’re happy with the players here. We just have to get them understanding that when you do the right way, you have to do it the right way over and over and over again.

“There are times when we’re right on point. Then there are times when we’re not. That’s part of coaching, we all own that, we’ve got to get those guys playing the way they need to play over and over and over.”

The Jaguars used a pair of first-round picks on defensive players, Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd, in April, as well as a third-round pick on Chad Muma. Jacksonville also added defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, linebacker Foye Oluokun, and cornerback Darious Williams in free agency.

After solid results from the new-look defense early in the season — including a shutout of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 — the unit has regressed as the year has gone on. It has now allowed at least 27 points and 400 yards in three straight weeks.

Caldwell may be hesitant to throw his players under the bus by saying they’re not good enough and new talent is needed. But the results tell another story and it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars not addressing their defensive woes with more draft picks in 2023.

Jaguars player listed as top 5 worst free agent signing of 2022

Most of the Jaguars’ free agent additions have impressed, but apparently not all of them.

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent huge money in the offseason to add several new faces to the starting lineup, including wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, tight end Evan Engram, offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, and linebacker Foye Oluokun, among others.

But it was one of the more under-the-radar additions that earned a spot on Over The Cap’s list of worst free agent signings.

At No. 5 on Jason Fitzgerald’s list at OTC was defensive end Folorunso Fatukasi, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal with Jacksonville in the offseason:

Fatukasi left the Jets to join the Jaguars in free agency, but it has been a rough change so far for the defensive lineman. Fatukasi is grading under 60 on the year by Pro Football Focus. He has been credited with 15 tackles, none for loss, a big drop from last year where he had 46 tackles, 5 for loss with the Jets. You would expect these numbers from a sub $3 million player. He has provided similar pass rush numbers to last season but the Jaguars are looking for more overall consistency. He has a $12.8M cap figure next season and his salary is guaranteed.

While Fatukasi hasn’t made many plays in the opposing backfield to necessarily justify his salary, his impact against the run can get lost in the box score.

The Jaguars started the year with one of the NFL’s most stout run defenses, but they struggled to slow the Philadelphia Eagles after Fatukasi went down with a quad injury.

His $10 million per year salary means Jacksonville should expect some plays made on the other side of the line of scrimmage, but calling him one of the worst signings of the offseason is a stretch.

Jaguars’ Folorunso Fatukasi, Marvin Jones Jr. active vs. Giants

Foley Fatukasi and Marvin Jones Jr. are set to make their returns.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars listed four players as questionable Friday, but all of them are active for a Week 7 game against the New York Giants.

That includes defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, who missed the last two weeks due to a quad injury, and wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., who was out last week.

Cornerback Shaquill Griffin and wide receiver Jamal Agnew were both ruled out Friday, but the addition of defensive lineman Adam Gotsis as what appears to be a healthy scratch is somewhat of a surprise.

The Giants’ list of inactives was unsurprising as five players were already ruled out Friday. Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari was placed on injured reserve Saturday and the other four players listed as out took up over half of the list of inactives.

Added to the list Sunday were safety Jason Pinnock, who was listed as questionable, and linebacker Austin Calitro.

Among the active players for the Giants is safety/linebacker Landon Collins. The three-time Pro Bowler and former Giants first-round pick signed with the team’s practice squad earlier this month, nearly seven months after he was released by the Washington Commanders.

 

Josh Allen: Folorunso Fatukasi ‘can’t be blocked’ when he’s healthy

Josh Allen is excited Folorunso Fatukasi is getting close to a return.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been without defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi in the last two weeks after he suffered a quadriceps injury after playing only 16 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

With the 6’4, 318-pound lineman out of action, the Jaguars defense has struggled to stop the run, rush the passer, and force turnovers the way it did during its 2-1 start to the year.

Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen says that’s no coincidence.

“Foley is obviously a freak of nature,” Allen told 1010XL’s Mia O’Brien on Thursday. “The physical strength that man possesses in the palm of his hand is amazing. So for him to be able to get back out there, a healthy Foley is somebody who can’t be blocked. And obviously you’ve seen it. I’m excited for him to get back out there.”

Earlier this week, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism about Fatukasi’s chances at returning in Week 7 against the New York Giants. In practices on Wednesday and Thursday, Fatukasi was listed as a limited participant.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley leads the league in touches and yards from scrimmage.

Jaguars hoping to have DL Foley Fatukasi back vs. Giants

Doug Pederson says the Jaguars need “all hands on deck” to stop Saquon Barkley

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi has been out of action since suffering a quad injury in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Jaguars coach Doug Pederson sounded optimistic about getting him back soon.

“We’ll get him back in practice and hopefully he’s capable and he’s — obviously, he’s day-to-day still — but we’re hoping he makes it to Sunday,” Pederson told reporters Wednesday.

The Jaguars’ run defense struggled without Fatukasi against the Eagles and Houston Texans, allowing 326 rushing yards over the pair of losses. While Jacksonville held the Indianapolis Colts to only 45 rushing yards, the team was without its top two running backs and opted to pass 58 times.

On Sunday, the Jaguars will face the New York Giants who lean heavily on their star running back.

“We need all hands on deck with Saquon [Barkley],” Pederson said of the Giants running back. “I watched this guy for many years run all over of us. He’s one of those backs where he’ll get two, he’ll get three, he’ll get one, maybe a lost yardage play, and then bang, he’ll hit you for 50. That’s just the type of back he is, he’s an explosive running back.”

Through six weeks, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing attempts and he’s only 33 yards behind Nick Chubb for the league lead. Barkley also has 155 receiving yards. The Giants improved to 5-1 last week with a come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Jaguars vs. Colts: Inactive players in Week 6 AFC South matchup

DaVon Hamilton, Zay Jones, and Foye Oluokun are all active today after they were listed as questionable on Friday.

There wasn’t much surprise on the inactive lists released by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts ahead of a Week 6 matchup.

On Saturday, the Jaguars downgraded wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi to out. The team’s three questionable players — defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, wide receiver Zay Jones, and linebacker Foye Oluokun — are all set to play Sunday.

The Colts ruled out linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive end Kwity Paye on Friday, then downgraded running backs Jonathan Allen and Nyheim Hines to out on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Colts announced three more players — including former Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles — are inactive.

Foles is still listed as the second quarterback on the Colts’ depth chart ahead of 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger. The decision to make the latter active rather than Foles indicates either that there’s been a change to the depth chart or the Colts want Ehlinger available for his rushing ability.

Ehlinger appeared in three games last season, but never threw a pass. He rushed three times for nine yards.

Jaguars rule WR Marvin Jones Jr., DE Foley Fatukasi out vs. Colts

The Jaguars downgraded two veterans from questionable to out.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Saturday that wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi have been downgraded to out and won’t travel for a Week 6 road game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Fatukasi, 27, suffered a quad injury during the Jaguars’ Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and was out of action in Week 5 as well. He returned to practice this week on a limited basis and was listed as questionable on Friday afternoon.

Jones, 32, was also listed as questionable after he was added to the injury report Friday with a hamstring issue. He’s coming off his best game of the year after finishing Week 5 with seven receptions for 104 yards.

The absence of Fatukasi will likely be filled by Corey Peters, who was elevated from the practice squad last week and was added to the active roster again earlier this week. The Jaguars offense will likely look to Jamal Agnew more as a third receiver with Jones out of action.

The Jaguars also announced Saturday that linebacker Ty Summers was elevated from the practice squad for the Week 6 game.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor returns to practice Thursday

The Jaguars’ injury report had no change from Wednesday to Thursday, but the Colts got Jonathan Taylor back on the practice field.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report on Thursday mirrored the report the team released Wednesday.

Four players — defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, wide receiver Zay Jones, and linebacker Foye Oluokun — were listed by the Jaguars as limited in practice.

 

The more notable injury news Thursday came from the Jaguars’ Week 6 opponent, the Indianapolis Colts. Running back Jonathan Taylor, who sat out the team’s Week 5 win over the Denver Broncos, returned to practice on a limited basis as he works his way back from an ankle injury.

Also back at practice for the Colts was three-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, who suffered a hip injury in the first half of Week 5.

Still out of action was three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who missed the Colts’ Week 2 loss to the Jaguars as he worked to return from offseason back surgery. Leonard returned in Week 4, but played only 16 snaps and is now dealing with a variety of injuries, including a concussion.

Jaguars DE Foley Fatukasi returns to practice Wednesday

Foley Fatukasi was back at practice Wednesday, while Colts RB Jonathan Taylor sat out with an ankle injury.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a tough break this week when starting left guard Ben Bartch landed on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury. On Wednesday, the team got a little bit of positive news on the injury front.

Defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, whose absence was costly in Weeks 4 and 5, was back in action at practice on a limited basis days ahead of a Week 6 rematch with the Indianapolis Colts. He was joined on the Wednesday report by nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, wide receiver Zay Jones, and linebacker Foye Oluokun, who were also limited.

Last week, Fatukasi didn’t practice at all and was ruled out two days ahead of the team’s Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans.

For the Colts, the Wednesday injury report was more concerning with running back Jonathan Taylor, center Ryan Kelly, and linebacker Shaquille Leonard among the key players sitting out.

The Jaguars did relatively well against Taylor in Week 2, holding the reigning NFL rushing champ to 54 yards in a 24-0 win. The Colts were without top two receivers, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, in that loss, as well as Leonard.

Jaguars activate DL Corey Peters with Foley Fatukasi injured

The Jaguars elevated 335-pound defensive lineman Corey Peters from the practice squad.

The Jacksonville Jaguars added a run stuffer to the active roster Saturday by elevating veteran defensive lineman Corey Peters from the practice squad.

Peters, 34, is in his 12th NFL season after previously spending five years with the Atlanta Falcons and six with the Arizona Cardinals. In September, he was added to the Jaguars practice squad.

The Jaguars may need for Peters to see significant action in Week 5 with starting defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi dealing with a quad injury. With Fatukasi playing just 16 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jaguars defense allowed 210 rushing yards on 50 attempts.

With Fatukasi ruled out on Sunday, the Jaguars are in need of size up front on defense and Peters is listed by the team at 335 pounds. Fatukasi is listed at 318 pounds and Adam Gotsis is the heaviest of the other backup defensive linemen on the depth chart at 287 pounds.

“Corey’s going to be able to step in,” Jaguars defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot said Thursday, via 1010XL’s Mia O’Brien. “He’s a vet, he’s been in the league forever. We’re not going to take a step back, we’ll just move forward.”

Peters has started 132 NFL games and has 50 career tackles for loss with 19 sacks.