The Jags may be without one of their most experienced players for the year as there are concerns that Dede Westbrook tore his ACL.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided an update on the knee injury that Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook sustained Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and unfortunately, it’s not looking good. Per Rapoport, the Jags fear that Westbrook tore his ACL, which would end his 2020 season.
The #Jaguars fear that WR Dede Westbrook tore his ACL in yesterday’s loss to the #Chargers, source said. He’ll have an MRI to confirm the injury that would knock him out for the season.
Westbrook sustained the injury after trying to return a kickoff in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. It appears to have happened as he was trying to make a cut before being tackled by Chargers linebacker Emeke Egbule.
Westbrook remained on the turf after the hit and was being attended to by some Jags trainers once the broadcast returned from the commercial break. Announcer Andrew Catalon informed the viewers that the replay revealed a graphic injury which they wouldn’t show again. After another commercial break the trainers were able to get Westbrook on a cart where he was taken to the back for evaluations.
Westbrook finished Sunday with four kickoff returns for 89 yards and also returned a punt for 36 yards. In the kickoff prior to the one where he sustained the injury, Westbrook had a fumble, however, the staff felt good enough to keep him in the game for more returns.
Westbrook was one of Gardner Minshew’s favorite targets last season, but the emergence of players like rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. and Keelan Cole caused him to be inactive on various occasions in 2020. However, with rookie Chris Claybrooks struggling with returns, the staff decided they wanted a proven player handling their important special teams role and decided to get Westbrook more involved.
Once the information about Westbrook’s MRI are disclosed, we’ll have more on his situation.
The Jacksonville Jaguars can’t seem to find the winning formula as they drop another game this time to the Los Angeles Chargers. With the loss, the Jaguars fall to a dismal 1-6 record on the season and have lost their sixth consecutive game.
Tensions have slowly risen between the Duval fanbase and ownership as the team has shown zero signs of improvement. It also doesn’t help that it appears changes won’t be made until after the season at the latest.
It wasn’t complete doom and gloom for the Jags on Sunday though, as there were slightly good moments mixed in the bad ones. Here is your good, bad and ugly moments from Week 7’s Jaguars and Chargers game:
The good: No quit in these cats
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
While the Jaguars have consistently faced huge deficits early, they’ve shown an ability to continue to play hard and at the very least make their games interesting.
One example is the Jaguars falling behind early by a 16-0 deficit in the first half of the game, which many felt they wouldn’t bounce back from. However, the Cardiac Cats showed a bit of resiliency, answering with two James Robinson touchdowns that put the score at 16-14 before the half. The Jaguars would score their third straight touchdown on an incredible blocked punt return by special teams safety Daniel Thomas, giving the Jags the lead by a score of 21-16.
While the Chargers would go on to put up 20 points in the third quarter to pull away, the Jaguars showed a lot of fight from guys that aren’t exactly household names. That’s a good sign for a team dealing with such circumstances further proving that tanking isn’t something the players believe in.
The bad: The protection’s lack of protecting
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II has been under fire all year from his offensive line. Coming into the game, the Jaguars ranked No. 5 in sacks allowed as Minshew has taken 17 sacks on the year. The Chargers’ defense woefully increased that total as Minshew was sacked five times Sunday. Two of those sacks came on third down.
The Jaguars were without the services of right guard A.J. Cann as he was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. He was replaced by rookie Ben Bartch, who was starting in his first game and was understandably overwhelmed by an extremely talented Chargers front seven. It felt as though the rest of the Jags line dealt with similar struggles.
No matter what quarterback will be behind center for the Jaguars, the line will have to do a much better job of providing protection overall.
The ugly: The defense once again falls apart
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has been atrocious this year in coverage and in the run game.
While the offense has had their fair share of struggles, the Jags defense has put them into the most disadvantageous of situations by getting absolutely gashed repeatedly. Against the Chargers, the Jaguars defense gave up six plays of 20 or more yards. Two of those plays led to touchdowns by tight ends Donald Parham Jr. and Virgil Green.
The Jaguars defense also gave up a whopping 29 first downs on the day as the Chargers offense moved the ball completely at will. The Jaguars came into the matchup against the Chargers allowing the third-most first downs in the league and Sunday’s game was no different.
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense did not have a great day no matter how you look at it. They gave up 484 yards of offense, finished with only one sack, and failed to cause a turnover.
They also finished the day with this dubious streak:
The Jaguars have now joined the 1968 Broncos and 1984 Vikings as the only teams in NFL history to allow 30-plus points in six consecutive games in a single season, Per ESPN Stats & Info. https://t.co/GdtVEIuQCu
The Jaguars will face the Houston Texans, the Green Bay Packers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the next three weeks coming out of their bye week. That streak could possibly get extended by a fair amount in that time if head coach Doug Marrone and the Jaguars defense doesn’t get it together.
The Jags offense had a better showing Week 7, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to stop the Chargers strong offensive surge from winning the game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars came up short in yet another trip to face the Los Angeles Chargers on the West Coast, ending their Week 7 game with a score of 39-29. The loss moved the team to a 1-5 record while the Chargers acquired their second win of the 2020 season.
Week 7’s battle was one that was a little on the wacky side, having it’s up and down moments, but the Jags at least made it watchable for their fans. Their offense in particular had some highlight moments, despite the questionable play at quarterback courtesy of quarterback Gardner Minshew II.
The star for the Jags in Sunday’s losing effort was undoubtedly running back James Robinson, who finished the game with an impressive stat line of 22 carries for 119 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground. He also contributed a touchdown reception along with four catches for 18 yards.
James Robinson is now the only undrafted player over the last 20 seasons to post at least 50 scrimmage in each of his seven career games.#Jaguars#DUUUVAL
Robinson’s efforts (along with a few others) ultimately gave the Jags a second quarter surge to put the game at 16-14 heading into the half. That momentum carried into the third quarter as safety Daniel Thomas blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.
Before the third quarter could end, the Jags’ defense was able to answer more adversity with a 28-yard Chris Conley touchdown reception, putting the score at 27-22 in favor of the Jags. The pass was Minshew’s best of the day as he dropped it in the bucket for Conley to hit in stride. The Jags also went for a successful 2-point conversion afterward, putting the game at a score of 29-22.
Unfortunately, the defense gave up an easy touchdown to receiver Jalen Guyton on a 70-yard bomb up the sideline from rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. The Jags also had a fumbled kickoff return by receiver Dede Westbrook, which set the Chargers up for an eventual rushing touchdown by Herbert for five yards.
At the 6:26 mark of the fourth quarter, the Chargers were also able to kick a field goal, which put the score at its final figure.
Overall, this loss probably should be pinned on the Jags’ defense, which once again allowed over 30 points. They also allowed over 480 yards once again, which made for some very difficult circumstances. Add in a key turnover on special, which was the only one of the day, and the Jags had the perfect recipe for another loss.
Thankfully, the team will now get to rest after their tough battle in Los Angeles as their bye week is now here. Once they return for Week 9, they will have a divisional game against the 1-5 Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov. 8.
The Jags endured a concerning injury in the fourth quarter of Week 7’s game against the Chargers as WR Dede Westbrook had to be carted off.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have gone back and forth with the Los Angeles Chargers Week 7, however, the Cardiac Cats will have to continue the last quarter without one of their most experienced receivers. After trying to return a kickoff, fourth-year player Dede Westbrook went down with a knee injury that resulted in him being carted off.
INJURY UPDATE:@Jaguars wide receiver/returner Dede Westbrook has a knee injury and has been ruled out.
#Chargers lead #Jaguars 36-29 in what has turned into a shootout at SoFi.
Both teams have been trading blows & special teams has been huge for both sides.
DeDe Westbrook goes out on the cart after what was described as a “gruesome” leg injury. Send our best his way. 🙏🏽
— Bleav in The Jaguars Podcast (@BleavInJagsPod) October 25, 2020
When the game went to commercial break, Westbrook was still on the ground after his return and the announcers informed the viewers that the replay revealed a gruesome injury that was too graphic to play over. The broadcast then went on commercial again, and once the game came back on, Westbrook was seen being carted off the field.
Westbrook hasn’t been active much this season because of the Jags wanting to give their rookie receivers, Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson, more playtime. However, with the Jags having struggles in the return game, they decided to give him a shot Week 7 against the Chargers. He finished the game with four returns for 89 yards and a fumble that occurred in the return before the one in which he was injured.
Alongside Jags Nation, we’d like to send our thoughts and prayers to Westbrook and will have more as it becomes available.
After being ruled questionable Friday on the final injury report, Jacksonville Jaguars right guard A.J. Cann (shoulder) will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
After being ruled questionable Friday on the final injury report, Jacksonville Jaguars right guard A.J. Cann (shoulder) will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was listed among the team’s inactives for Week 7 alongside fellow starter Myles Jack, who was ruled out Friday. That means rookie guard Ben Bartch will get his first start in the NFL.
Cann sustained the injury in Week 6’s game against the Detroit Lions and exited the game early. He was able to practice a little this week, but the Jags ultimately decided to play it safe.
Starting safety Jarrod Wilson (hamstring) and No. 2 tight end Tyler Eifert (neck) were also among the list of inactives, too. With Wilson out, Brandon Watson will start at safety.
As for the full list of the Jags inactives, they are as follows:
QB Jake Luton
S Jarrod Wilson
CB Luq Barcoo
LB Myles Jack
RG A.J. Cann
TE Tyler Davis
TE Tyler Eifert
DT Daniel Ekuale
Josh Allen will be returning from injury and needs to have a huge day pressuring QB Justin Herbert if the Jags are to win Week 7.
With a 1-5 record after five straight losses, the Jacksonville Jaguars have reached a desperation point earlier than many expected in 2020. Another defeat today and the team will go into their bye week with a disappointing 1-6 record, which would keep them in strong contention for the first overall pick.
Today’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers presents a difficult challenge. Their rookie quarterback has lit up the league in the past two weeks, whilst the return of edge rusher Melvin Ingram will make them a much tougher opponent on the other side of the ball.
If the Jaguars are to win today, they will need strong showings across the board, but these are three players who simply must have an impact for Jacksonville to leave Los Angeles with a victory:
LB Joe Schobert
Linebacker Myles Jack has been ruled out of today’s game, which heaps pressure on the Jaguars’ high-profile signing of the summer. Joe Schobert has struggled often without Jack in the lineup, so defensive coordinator Todd Wash will be hoping for better play out of the veteran.
The Chargers have weapons littered throughout their offense and it’s hard to find many more dependable than tight end Hunter Henry. Schobert’s ability to cover will be tested throughout this game, but it’s a duel he will need to come out on top of if the Jaguars are to have a chance of winning this game.
CB Sidney Jones IV
Featured in last week’s edition of this post prior to the loss against the Lions, Sidney Jones IV remains a key piece to watch on this Jaguars defense after multiple impressive showings. He was activated off the practice squad just three weeks ago and hasn’t looked back since his first start with the Jags, which was a solid performance that came against the Houston Texans.
In that game, Jones finished with one interception, three pass breakups (including one tip that turned into a pick), which makes him the only Jaguars defensive back with four passes defensed in a single game for the last four years. That said, he’s made it clear he has talent.
With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams posing as one of the best receiver duos in the entire league, Jones will likely have his hands full for much of the afternoon. If he is able to have another strong performance, he will likely earn himself a long-term spot in the Jaguars secondary.
DT Taven bryan
With Josh Allen back for this game, rookie edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson will likely see his snap count fall again as both are rarely on the field at the same time. That means, former first-round pick Taven Bryan is going to have to force pressure through the middle.
Defensive coordinator Todd Wash rarely blitzes on first and second down, which means Bryan will play a vital role in generating pressure as part of the team’s four-man rush. With a rookie in DaVon Hamilton set to start next to him Sunday, the Jags will really need Bryan to up his play and begin to show the team why he was drafted in the first round in 2018.
There isn’t a lot of confidence in the Jags garnering a win against the Chargers and a big reason for that is because of their QB issues.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be taking their first and only trip to the West Coast in 2020 Sunday in hopes to find win No. 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers. As many are aware, the two have a lot of history much of which hasn’t been favorable for the Jags as the Chargers hold an 8-3 record against them.
With that being the case, many aren’t confident in the Jags heading into Sunday’s game, including us at Jags Wire. Here are our predictions on the week as the Jags and Chargers duke it out at SoFi Stadium:
The Jags, at this point, are grasping at straws to find answers and that much is clear with the news surfacing of Gardner Minshew’s potential benching. In the defense of the staff, he hasn’t been overly impressive and doesn’t feel like the answer at quarterback, but with Mike Glennon being their No. 2, the news smells of desperation.
In a nutshell, that should not give many confidence in the team Week 7. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been on fire and a duo of great pass-rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will be on the opposite side of the offense. Still, despite predicting a loss for the Jags, I could see this being a close one because the Chargers play to their competition.
Another week, another one win opponent for the Jaguars that’s playing much better than their record indicates. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert was probably having dreams about facing the Jags’ defense this week. We’re at the point of the season where we’ve seen enough of the Jags on both sides of the ball to know what to expect, and unfortunately, it isn’t good. The plus side is they get Josh Lambo back, but other than that, it’s difficult to be optimistic about anything else at the moment. This team routinely struggles during west coast trips & I don’t expect that to change today.
Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis): Chargers 34, Jaguars 13
The Jaguars are struggling mightily and the offense has regressed in recent weeks. The Jaguars pass-rush has been nonexistent and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been on fire since replacing Tyrod Taylor. Unfortunately, I think this is a bit of a coming-out party for Herbert and the Bolts. If the Jaguars can start fast, something they have had huge issues with, and get the run-game rolling, they could have a shot to have a West Coast upset.
No major difference in the spread for this week. The Jaguars will have another tough task Week 7 in slowing down a highly capable Chargers offense. This Jags team is slowly starting to spiral downward and this isn’t the game where things will get fixed.
With all of this morning’s talk about the long-term future under center in Jacksonville, it doesn’t hold much hope about the team’s chances against Los Angeles. With the Jags owning a 0-4 record against the Chargers on the West Coast, there is really nothing about this team that leads me to believe things are about to change.
Additionally, Justin Herbert has a hot hand currently. He’ll enter Sunday’s game with nine total touchdowns and 1,195 passing yards, so this one could be ugly fast.
Gardner Minshew is in jeopardy of being benched against the Chargers which is exactly why he needs to rise to the occasion and play better.
The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers this weekend as the team desperately searches for a way to get back into the win column. After losing five straight, the Jaguars are 1-5 and any momentum picked up in that opening weekend victory against Indianapolis is now long in the rear-view mirror.
If they are to save their season, they need to do it now. Another loss before the bye week would leave the team 1-6 with a much tougher slate of games following the bye. In a nutshell, that could mean the 2020 season may be over for Jacksonville before the mid-way point of their campaign.
For the team to win today, they simply must produce more offense than they have shown lately as they’ve lost three of the last four by at least two touchdowns. Here are three players on offense who will have to step up for the Jaguars to emerge victorious against the Chargers on the West Coast for the first time:
QB Gardner Minshew II
After a report from insider Ian Rapoport surfaced suggesting that the Jags’ could bench Minshew Week 7 if his struggles continue, Sunday’s game against the Chargers might be the most important of his career.
Simply put, Minshew has looked a shell of the player fans saw in 2019 and Week 1 of 2020. Rattled early and often, the turnovers that we saw last year have been damning this season, committing eight total turnovers during the teams five-game slide.
Minshew has the tools and the upside to be a viable quarterback in the NFL, but if he is unable to keep the ball out of the oppositions hands again this week the leash will undoubtedly get shorter. That could especially be the case if Doug Marrone endures another loss, which could leave him searching for options to cool his hot seat.
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
The team has struck gold with their second-round pick from 2020. Laviska Shenault Jr has done a little bit of everything for this Jaguars team. Having lined up outside, in the slot, in the backfield and even in the wildcat at points in this season, the offense has the potential to run through this rookie receiver for years to come.
When asked what position he played, the former Colorado man defined himself as “a playmaker” who loves the pressure. There will be plenty of pressure on him this week as offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will look to dial up plays which takes the responsibility away from Minshew’s lone shoulders.
OT Cam Robinson
Melvin Ingram (who lines up everywhere) is back, which means that left tackle Cam Robinson is in for one of his toughest games of the season. With the fourth-year lineman playing with a contract negotiation or free-agency in mind, a strong showing against one of the league’s most versatile pass-rushers will only help matters.
Add in the abilities of two-time Pro Bowler, Joey Bosa, and it’s clear the Jags’ offensive line will have a daunting task on their hands. Protecting Minshew has to be emphasized with such talent on the Chargers’ defense, especially when considering the young quarterback’s ball security problems.
If Jacksonville is able to remain strong up front, they may not have to lean so heavily on Minshew, who has thrown at least 40 passes in five-straight defeats. With Robinson being an impressive run-blocker throughout his NFL career, this would be a great time to play to his strength and get running back James Robinson going again, too.
Unless the second-year quarterback shows some type of improvement, it might not be his team for much longer.
Rapoport added that the Jaguars are actively looking at backup Mike Glennon as an option if they move on from Minshew. Rapoport also explained the significance of the timing as the Jags could use their bye week (Week 8) to re-evaluate the situation.
Aside from Glennon, another option could be rookie Jake Luton who the Jags selection in the sixth-round of April’s draft. While he hasn’t been on the active roster, he does offer the prototypical size coaches like and has a strong arm, making him different from Minshew similar to Glennon.
Since winning their season opener against Indianapolis, the Jaguars have gone on a run of five straight defeats. In their last four games, in particular, they’ve managed to score 16 points or less three times, which is an indication the offense could use a spark. Whilst this can be an indictment of the team’s defensive struggles and questionable game-planning, it is important to note that Minshew has contributed eight turnovers to their five-game skid.
Last week the frustration on offense became very noticeable in DJ Chark’s pregame presser where the wide receiver stated that the receivers were open in Week 6’s loss to the Detroit Lions.
With coach Doug Marrone’s seat getting warmer by the week, this could be seen as a last-ditch attempt to save his job. If he sticks with Minshew despite his underwhelming performances week after week, owner Shad Khan may be more inclined to make a change of his own. All signs point toward wholesale changes for the future of the Jaguars’ franchise, but the bigger question is when could those changes come if the team continues to perform as it has.
The Jags’ and Chargers’ Week 7 game won’t get a lot of local coverage but certain regions in five states will get to see it.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will take the field for one more game before their bye week and it will involve a long trip to the West Coast to face some familiar foes in the Los Angeles Chargers. When looking at both teams, it could be a close one as both teams are similar in a lot of ways and have two former PAC-12 stars at quarterback in Justin Herbert and Gardner Minshew II, who are trying to build their resumes.
Both coaching staffs will also come into this game with a sense of urgency as the Jags and Chargers have two wins combined this season. Anthony Lynn’s issue has seemingly been closing games with a finishers mentality while Doug Marrone’s defense has put up little resistance against opponents.
With the game between two teams who haven’t garnered good records, the coverage on the Jags’ and Chargers’ game won’t be all that great, only showing in a certain part of five states. Those at home who live in the green areas specifically will be able to watch it locally.
With the game taking place on the West Coast, the Jags will have their first 4:30 kickoff of the year. On the call will be Andrew Catalon (play-by-play) and James Lofton (color commentary) again, who’ve called multiple games for the Jags this season.
The Jags’ and Chargers’ Week 7 meeting will mark their eleventh in their respective histories. The Chargers hold the lead in the series with an 8-3 record. One of those wins was from the team’s last meeting in 2019 when the Chargers beat the Jags at TIAA Bank Field by a score of 45-10.
Will Marrone and company be able to return the favor Sunday? Only time will tell.
