Tag: Jacksonville Jaguars

Two Jaguars starters exit injured vs. Raiders

Two Jaguars starters exit injured vs. Raiders

Jaguars starters, offensive tackle Walker Little and safety Darnell Savage Jr., exited Jacksonville’s Week 16 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders after suffering injuries in the first half.

Little suffered an ankle injury on Jacksonville’s first offensive possession of the game. He entered the contest with a hurt ankle, which he experienced but played through against the New York Jets in Week 15.

Savage was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion during the second quarter.

Jacksonville considered both players questionable to return against Las Vegas at press time.

Little took over as Jacksonville’s starting left tackle in Week 8 and signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the club on Dec. 1. Since his second-round, No. 45 overall selection by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL draft, Little has made 55 appearances and 25 starts.

Savage, who signed a three-year, $21.8 million free-agent contract with Jacksonville in March after five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, has logged 42 total tackles including two for loss, one interception and six defended passes in 11 games with the Jaguars.

Las Vegas led Jacksonville 13-7 late in the second quarter at press time.

Brian Thomas Jr. sets another Jaguars rookie record

Brian Thomas Jr. sets another Jaguars rookie record

Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. now holds Jacksonville’s rookie receiving records in each major category.

After setting the franchise rookie records for receiving yards and touchdowns against the New York Jets in Week 15, Thomas’ 16-yard catch against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday moved him into sole possession of Jacksonville’s rookie reception record.

Justin Blackmon set the previous record, 64 receptions, in 2012. Blackmon owned the Jaguars’ former rookie receiving yards record with 865; Allen Hurns set Jacksonville’s prior rookie receiving touchdown record with six in 2014.

At press time, Thomas, Jacksonville’s No. 23 overall selection in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, has 65 receptions for 972 yards and eight touchdowns 15 games into his NFL career.

“I think Brian’s grown a lot,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said about Thomas on Monday. “I can remember back, right after the draft, you get him in here and start working with him and just watching that development, that growth to where he is today as a receiver, and one of the top young receivers in this league. Obviously, a big part of our offense and just a bright spot.

“It’s been encouraging to see his growth and what he’s capable of doing. Going back and watching him on film coming out of LSU to today, some of the same things, some of the explosiveness. We continue each week to load his plate up and give him more opportunities and really expand his route tree just a little bit more. Has been good, and he embraces it well.”

Jacksonville and Las Vegas were tied 7-7 in the second quarter at press time.

Watch: Raiders rookie TE Brock Bowers 32-yard catch to reach 1000 yards

Brock Bowers came into today’s game needing 32 yards to reach 1000 yards. He got that on one play.

Brock Bowers came into today’s game with 968 yards receiving on the season. Which means he needed 32 yards to reach the 1000-yard mark. He got exactly that on his first play of the game.

And in true Brock Bowers fashion, most of that was on yards after the catch.

Bowers made the short catch on the first play for the Raiders offense and turned to see a whole lot of open field ahead of him. And he took all of it, running for 32 yards before being stopped at the Vegas 35-yard line.

It was Bowers’ 91st catch of the season. He already has several records. Hitting 1000 yards is more of a milestone than a record. But there is still the rest of this game and three more games after this one for him to break some more records.

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Inactive lists

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Inactive lists

Find the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders’ inactive lists for their Week 16 matchup below.

Jaguars inactives

  • OT Javon Foster
  • DT Esezi Otomewo
  • DT Jordan Jefferson
  • CB Ronald Darby

Analysis: Jacksonville made only four inactive players as it entered Week 16 with 52 players on its roster.

The Jaguars’ most notable inactive player is former starting cornerback Ronald Darby, now a healthy scratch after being benched in favor of third-year Jacksonville cornerback Montaric Brown.

Raiders inactives

  • QB Carter Bradley (emergency third quarterback)
  • OG Jordan Meredith
  • DT Matthew Butler
  • LB Kana’i Mauga
  • CB Nate Hobbs
  • CB Sam Webb

Analysis: The Raiders made linebacker Kana’i Mauga and cornerbacks, Nate Hobbs and Sam Webb, inactive after they came down with illnesses on Friday. Webb was previously listed on Las Vegas’ injury report due to a back injury.

Jacksonville vs. Las Vegas is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Final injury reports, game statuses

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Final injury reports, game statuses

Find the Jaguars and Raiders’ final injury reports and initial game statuses for Jacksonville and Las Vegas’ Week 16 matchup below.

* indicates status upgrade from the previous practice

Jaguars injury report

  • TE Brenton Strange (shoulder) — limited
  • OT Walker Little (ankle) — limited
  • OG Ezra Cleveland (knee) — limited
  • OG Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder) — limited

Jaguars game statuses

None.

Analysis: Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said earlier Friday that each member of Jacksonville’s injury report was “fine” entering Week 16.

Accordingly, the Jaguars did not assign game statuses to any injured players, meaning starters, tight end Brenton Strange and offensive linemen Walker Little, Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff, will play against the Raiders on Sunday.

Raiders injury report

  • QB Aidan O’Connell (knee) — full
  • QB Desmond Ridder (hip) — full
  • RB Alexander Mattison (neck) — full
  • WR Ja’Kobi Meyers (ankle) — full*
  • OG Jordan Meredith (ankle) — did not participate
  • LB Kana’l Mauga (illness) — did not participate
  • CB Sam Webb (back/illness) — did not participate
  • CB Nate Hobbs (illness) — did not participate

Raiders game statuses

  • LB Kana’l Mauga: QUESTIONABLE
  • CB Sam Webb: QUESTIONABLE
  • CB Nate Hobbs: QUESTIONABLE
  • OG Jordan Meredith: DOUBTFUL

Analysis: An ailment appears to have broken out at Raiders’ headquarters as cornerback Sam Webb’s listing was modified and linebacker Kana’l Mauga and cornerback Nate Hobbs were added to Las Vegas’ injury report with illnesses on Friday. Each player is questionable to play on Sunday.

Guard Jordan Meredith, who did not practice all week, is doubtful.

Jaguars vs Raiders injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 16

All the latest updates and news on Raiders injury report ahead of a Week 16 game vs. Jaguars.

The final injury report is out for both the Raiders and Jaguar for their Week 16 game on Sunday. But most important may be who was removed from the injury report.

Raiders, Jaguars injury report

Jordan Meredith is Doubtful and Nate Hobbs (illness) Questionable on #Raiders injury report.

[image or embed]

— Levi Damien (@levidamien.bsky.social) December 20, 2024 at 1:38 PM

G Jordan Meredith injury update

Meredith injured his ankle in the team’s loss to the Falcons Monday night. He missed the entire week of practices and is officially Doubtful for the game on Sunday against the Jaguars.

Should he not be able to go, one of two things could happen — either Jackson Powers-Johnson will move back to guard and Andre James would come in at center. Or Cody Whitehair who would step up to start at left guard. Whitehair had started three games at left guard earlier this season.

QB Aidan O’Connell injury update

O’Connell was removed from the injury report, which means he will start Sunday after missing Monday’s game with a bone bruise in his knee.

WR Jakobi Meyers injury update

Meyers was limited for the first two practices of the week, but was back full on Friday and removed from the injury report.

CB Nate Hobbs injury update

Hobbs showed up on the injury report, missing practice Friday with an illness. He is officially Questionable for the game.

‘It’s personal’ for Raiders resurgent former 1st round pick facing team that drafted, gave up on him

Less than a year after the Jaguars gave up on EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, the Raiders resurgent former first round pick gets his shot at revenge.

Being a first round pick sounds great. But it doesn’t mean a whole lot. Whether they live up to that status is still a crap shoot. One the Jaguars felt like they lost with K’Lavon Chaisson after just five sacks in four years. So, they let him go.

The LSU star then signed with the Carolina Panthers only to once again find himself without a team just prior to the start of the season. That’s when the Raiders, who had just lost their breakout star Malcolm Koonce to injury, scooped him up onto their practice squad.

From there Chaisson earned his shot on the active roster, signed a month after initially signing. Since then he has more than earned his right to stick.

Two weeks ago, against the rival Chiefs in Kansas City, Chaisson put up career highs in sacks (1.5) and tackles for loss (three). Then last week stepping up after the loss of Maxx Crosby to injury, he played a career high 57 snaps, missing just one snap.

On the heels of that, Chaisson this week will line up across from the same Jaguars team that made him their top pick out of LSU and who gave up on him after last season.

“Obviously it’s personal for him. It’s the team that drafted him and let him go,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said of Chaisson. “But I’m just talking about KC the player for us. I think he’s done an outstanding job since he’s gotten here. Bought into it. Rob Leonard and Andre [Carter] have done a good job of just fitting him in and over the last month he’s been kind of wreaking havoc. The passing game he had the interception and obviously getting after the quarterback, but in the running game with all the injuries he’s been a bright spot for us. Someone who has tier one traits of a first round pick. But I think he’s found his home here and we’re happy to have him on our side.”

The Jaguars come to Allegiant Stadium Sunday and Chaisson will be waiting, hoping to show his former team he is living up to the talent they thought they would get when they drafted with the 20th overall pick back in 2020.

Whether that’s because Chaisson had a wakeup call and turned his career around, or he just needed to be in the right situation with the right team to find his talent again.

“I think that also putting your arm around him. Loving him,” Pierce said of how Chaisson has surged since joining the Raiders. “And also the culture and the way that locker room and Dline group… that’s a very tight knit group. Even with Maxx [Crosby] and Christian [Wilkins] out, those guys are always in there and doing things together constantly. He’s just kind of fit in.

“I think initially he was trying to find his way and then once he found his way, we’re reaping the benefits of his play right now. He is happy, he’s kind of finding himself. He’s like ‘I want to be a Raider’ and that’s good. That’s things that you want to have happen when you bring guys in who didn’t work out. Because a lot of first rounders when it doesn’t work out they kind of just go to the wayside, and feel sorry for themselves. He’s taken advantage of every opportunity.”

Chaisson should get plenty of opportunities to get after his former team Sunday. He will likely start at defensive end across from another former first round pick in Tyree Wilson.

Pederson talks Jaguars ascending CBs Montaric Brown, De’Antre Prince

Pederson talks Jaguars ascending CBs Montaric Brown, De’Antre Prince

Often a spot-starter over his first three seasons with the team, Jaguars cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown has seized a first-team role in Jacksonville’s defense as the 2024 regular season nears its close.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Monday that Brown had succeeded veteran Ronald Darby to start at cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell moving forward, crediting Jacksonville’s 2022 seventh-round NFL draft pick for his development and performances when asked to step up.

Brown has started seven games this season, five while Campbell was on Jacksonville’s injured reserve in Weeks 2-6, and in the Jaguars’ last two matchups over a healthy Darby. Brown has logged 46 total tackles with five for loss, one interception and seven defended passes in 14 appearances total.

Despite his previous status as a backup, Brown frequently played in rotation with Campbell and Darby earlier this season. His 691 defensive snaps this year rank No. 5 on the team.

“A guy that’s worked hard, was kind of thrust into action and has really embraced it,” Pederson described Brown on Friday.

“He’s another one that, I think, elevated his game. But again, it just doesn’t happen. Buster works at it. He works at it hard in practice and he’s hard on himself. He’s coachable, and that’s what’s made him a really good player for us.”

Brown had previously started seven games with the Jaguars, largely while Campbell battled multiple injuries in 2023. He exceeded expectations as a former late-round draft pick, entering the campaign with 40 tackles and four pass breakups in 20 career games.

He has taken another step forward with further opportunities this season. Per Pro Football Focus, through Week 15, Brown’s 67.2% coverage completion rate, 10.5 yards per reception allowed and 96.5 passer rating against are all career bests, to pair with his increased box score production.

Brown’s coverage completion percentage drops to 65.2% in games he has started this year.

“I think he just is going to continue to learn, continue to grow, continue to get better. That’s a good sign for a young player,” Pederson added.

Pederson believes Brown’s emergence provides a “great example” for another young member of Jacksonville’s secondary, rookie cornerback De’Antre Prince, who also is slated for an uptick in defensive snaps after Darby’s benching.

Jacksonville’s fifth-round, No. 153 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, Prince has appeared in eight games this season but with a larger snap share on special teams (11%) than defense (7%). He has recorded two tackles.

“I think it’s going to be great for him,” Pederson said of Prince. “Regardless of the number of snaps, hopefully, in the next couple of games, he gets quite a few, and it gives us an insight into the type of player and to who Tre is. He works obviously hard at practice, and it’s an opportunity to go play.

“It gives the player a lot of confidence if he can go out and play, play well and do some good things. For us too, it gives us, again, that insight to how can this player help us, in Tre’s case, in the future, and where can we use him on defense. These next few weeks, a lot of our young players, it’s just that — a great opportunity for them.”

Pederson: Four injured Jaguars ‘all fine’ entering Raiders matchup

Pederson: Four injured Jaguars ‘all fine’ entering Raiders matchup

Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson on Friday considered the four starting Jaguars who have been limited in practice throughout Week 16 — tight end Brenton Strange, offensive tackle Walker Little, and guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff — “all fine” ahead of the club’s Sunday road matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Strange (shoulder) and Little (ankle) suffered their injuries in Jacksonville’s 32-25 loss to the New York Jets in Week 15 but were able to finish the game. Cleveland (knee) and Scherff (knee/shoulder) have played through their hurts for multiple weeks.

Strange took over as Jacksonville’s starting tight end against New York after Evan Engram was ruled out for the season with a labrum injury that required surgery. Strange has logged 34 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns in 14 appearances, including 11 grabs for 73 yards versus the Jets.

The Jaguars and Raiders’ Week 16 matchup is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Key matchups

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars head into Week 16 against Las Vegas with some offensive momentum following a productive Sunday in their loss to the New York Jets.

One of the key storylines from the Jaguars’ defeat is their franchise record-setting rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has emerged as one of the best young playmakers in the league. Jacksonville’s first-round selection will be a high-level target for a healthy Trevor Lawrence in 2025 and beyond.

This week against the Raiders, the Jaguars have a chance to add another win to their lowly season total against a team projected to be selected within the first three slots in April’s NFL Draft. 

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups ahead of Sunday’s late afternoon bout with Desmond Ridder and the Raiders.

Jaguars secondary and linebackers vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers

This weekend will feature two highly regarded rookie skill players, Thomas and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who have quickly become franchise cornerstones on their respective teams.

Bowers himself is on his way to a record-breaking rookie season as he is just over 100 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka’s rookie record for receiving yards by a tight end at 1,076.

Against a Jaguars defense that ranks last in yards allowed (396.4), Bowers has a good chance to break the record this weekend. However, there is a way to keep this from happening for at least another week.

If Jacksonville wants to slow down Bowers, match zone and heavy man coverage will be key. One idea is to allow Tyson Campbell to travel with Bowers and limit his productivity or play match coverage on the second level against Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, or rookie nickelback Jarrian Jones, who we highlighted in this week’s All-22 review.

Either way, Bowers is the best player on the field for the Raiders at the moment. Limiting him would clear a path for a potential Jaguars victory in the Nevada desert.

Jaguars RB Tank Bisgby vs. Raiders defense

With Travis Etienne Jr. back in the starting lineup, Tank Bigsby’s rushing production has varied. His highest rushing total in his last five games is 55 yards. Yet, he continues to create yards after contact and make defenders miss in space at a steady clip.

The Raiders’ rushing defense could provide Bisgby with a productive game. According to Next Gen Stats, they have the 10th-highest missed crackle rate in the league at 13.9 percent. Bigsby has the third-highest missed tackle rate in the league at 36 percent.

Those numbers translate on film as well. Bigsby has a strong contract balance and jittery footwork that allows him to create yards in space consistently. A noisy day from the former Auburn Tiger tailback could spell success for Jacksonville.

Jaguars QB Mac Jones vs. Raiders QB (TBD)

Close your eyes football fans. This is not the superstar quarterback matchup you might hope for this weekend. One of the paths to success for either team is which signal-caller can play a cleaner game.

There is a possibility that Aidan O’Connell will return to the starting lineup for the Raiders this weekend. However, Desmond Ridder could be in line to start again if O’Connell can’t go (or if Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were to make another quarterback change).

Ridder was efficient on quick-tempo passes against his former team on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons, going 11-of-15 for 114 yards and one touchdown in that respect, according to Next Gen Stats.

Yet, he also demonstrated why he is already on the third team within one league year. Far too often, he put the ball in harm’s way and made inaccurate throws.

O’Connell doesn’t come without risk either but is a more effective vertical passer, potentially allowing Bowers to see more production downfield. However, neither are particularly great options.

Jones is also a quarterback prone to making questionable throws, including two interceptions against the Jets. He enters the weekend with a four-to-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season. 

While he did give Thomas, second-year tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington chances to make plays, Jones’ knack for turning the ball over at the worst times continues to plague him. 

That said, if Jones were to put up similar numbers to what he did in place of Trevor Lawrence against Houston three weeks ago, there is a sound opportunity for Jacksonville to get its fourth win of the season in Sin City.