Tag: Jacksonvill Jaguars

Jaguars’ Doug Pederson wary of Giants’ Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson has warned his team about Saquon Barkley’s explosiveness and told them not to sleep on Daniel Jones.

The New York Giants have their third road game of the season this week when they travel to Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jags have had an even harder past decade than the Giants, and although head coach Doug Pederson is in his first year with the team, he’s an experienced coach who has been around the league as a player and coach.

Pederson’s Jags are 2-4 this season, and he knows it’s going to be an uphill battle on Sunday, particularly regarding Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.

“Well, I’ll tell you this, you don’t go to sleep on Daniel Jones because he can beat you with his legs. I know probably the ankle and all that might sort of slow him down a touch but he’s still the same guy,” Pederson said during a Wednesday conference call.

On Barkley, Pederson sounded even more apprehensive.

“I’ve watched this guy for, you know, many years run all over us. And he’s one of those backs where it’s like, you get 2, you get 3, you get 1, maybe a lost yardage play, and then bang, he’ll hit you for 50,” Pederson said. “I mean, that’s just the type of back he is. He’s an explosive running back. He’s a downhill guy, he’s got speed to circle the defense. I mean, he’s just a complete guy. Then you’re seeing him out of the backfield, too, make plays there.”

Pederson isn’t not wrong about either player. Jones is vastly underrated at his position and hasn’t had a chance to show the NFL what he’s capable of. It’s starting to show more this year, though, as the Giants continue to put up points and win games.

Barkley is Barkley. He’s dangerous no matter where he is on the field. His versatility makes him hard to defend.

Pederson is surely preparing his team for what they will face when the Giants come to town, especially his defense. Big Blue has been overlooked every week this season, which isn’t surprising given how the last several years have gone. But the league is taking notice, and Pederson’s comments illustrate that awareness.

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Jags add a trio from practice squad prior to game vs. Jets, place DE/OLB Jordan Smith on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Jags added a pair of offensive players and a defensive player from their practice squad Saturday to help out the roster with a game against the Jets coming up.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made multiple transactions on Saturday leading into their game against the New York Jets by elevating three players from their practice squad. Those three players they elevated were defensive back Brandon Rusnak, receiver Josh Hammond, and running back Nathan Cottrell.

Hammond’s elevation comes after the Jags placed receiver Laviska Shenault on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, so it gives the Jags five receivers heading into Sunday’s game, which is the number they had when Shenault was on the active roster. If he sees the field, Hammond would be active for the first time in his career.

As for Cottrell, Sunday’s game will mark the second consecutive one that he’s been elevated as the Jags placed veteran running back Carlos Hyde (concussion) on the injured reserve this week. Hyde missed last Sunday’s game against Houston, too, after sustaining a concussion Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans when he took a big hit from linebacker Derick Roberson.

However, the Jags did sign running back Ryquell Armstead to the active roster this week, but with him not being as familiar with the playbook yet, Cottrell could be active over him against the Jets. Then again, Cottrell may not have to come on the field for offensive purposes as he only was used on special teams last week.

As for Rusnak, he’s only been active for one game this season, and that game was the Jags’ first of the season against Houston. He saw the field for 18 special teams snaps but didn’t register any stats in the process.

The Jags also announced that rookie defensive end and linebacker Jordan Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The rookie, who was taken in the fourth round of April’s draft has yet to play in a game this season, and that might continue this Sunday.

Once placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, an unvaccinated player must wait 10 days before they can return. However, vaccinated players can return within 48 hours if they register two negative tests that are 24 hours apart.