Tag: Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots: Thursday injury reports

Thursday injury reports ahead of a week seven matchup between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars.

For the second straight week, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5 are set to play in London. Jacksonville will face New England Patriots (1-5) after losing to the Chicago Bears in Week 6.

The Jaguars had no changes from Wednesday when the initial reports for the week were revealed.

The Patriots saw multiple changes from Wednesday, however, with cornerback Marcus Jones’ status upgraded from did-not-participate to limited. A new addition from Thursday, linebacker Curtis Jacobs saw his status downgraded to limited.

Meanwhile, Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and safety Marte Mape were upgraded to full participants.

Find Jacksonville and New England’s Thursday injury reports for Week 7 below.

^ indicates player is designated to return from the injured reserve 

Jaguars injury report

  • OL Anton Harrison (knee) — full
  • RB Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) — limited
  • WR Gabe Davis (knee) — limited
  • TE Evan Engram (hamstring) — limited
  • DE Arik Armstead (shoulder) — limited
  • CB Tyson Campbell^ (hamstring) — limited

Patriots injury report

  • OT Vederian Lowe (ankle) — DNP
  • RB Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) — DNP
  • S Kyle Dugger (ankle) — limited
  • LB Curtis Jacobs (knee) — limited
  • CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder) — limited
  • CB Marcus Jones (groin/illness) — limited
  • G Michael Jordan (ankle) — limited
  • LB Sione Takitaki (knee) — limited
  • CB Marco Wilson (groin) — limited
  • CB Isaiah Bolden (hamstring) — full
  • WR Kendrick Bourne (knee) — full
  • LS Joe Cardona (calf) — full
  • DT Davon Godchaux (elbow) — full
  • LB Anfernee Jennings (shoulder)  — full
  • S Marte Mapu (neck) — full
  • QB Drake Maye (knee) — full
  • WR K.J. Osborn (shoulder) — full

Analysis: Jaguars trade Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seahawks

Could veteran defensive tackle Arik Armstead contribute more following Roy Robertson-Harris’ departure?

Following Jacksonville’s fifth loss in six games, the Jaguars shipped defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, allowing a fresh start to both parties. 

After a productive first four seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Robertson-Harris signed a free-agent deal with Jacksonville in March 2021 and earned a three-year contract extension from the club in 2023. He played in black and teal for over three seasons and saw varying levels of success with the Jaguars.

According to Pro Football Focus, Robertson-Harris posted ten sacks, 18 quarterback hits, 81 hurries, 77 tackles and 64 run stops across 1,944 snaps in his first three seasons with Jacksonville. Robertson-Harris graded out best as a Jaguar in 2022, his second season with the team, with a 63.9 defensive score out of 100. 

In the first six games of 2024, Robertson-Harris recorded four tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits and seven pressures over 210 snaps, 140 of which came against the pass, per PFF. 

Robertson-Harris’ impact along the interior has largely declined, which led to his rotational role in Jacksonville’s lackluster defense under first-year coordinator Ryan Nielsen. 

The Jaguars rank No. 31 in the NFL in touchdowns allowed (21), only to be outdone by Carolina, which has allowed 24 touchdowns in six games.

Jacksonville’s defensive issues stem in part from its inconsistent pass rush, which has helped cause the Jaguars to rank dead last in passing touchdowns allowed in the NFL with 14 through six games. Their 14 sacks are tied with four other teams for 12th-fewest in the league. 

With Robertson-Harris gone and interior snaps to fill, the Jaguars could deploy 30-year-old lineman Arik Armstead, who has struggled in his move to defensive end, back to the position he played and thrived at with the San Francisco 49ers, tackle.

162 of Armstead’s 198 defensive snaps have come at defensive end this year. 

While the Jaguars’ coaching staff was adamant about moving Armstead around the front this past offseason, the veteran has yet to produce to the tune of his three-year, $43.5 million price tag. 

So far this season, Armstead’s play has been rather unnoticeable. He recorded one sack against Miami in Week 1, but has logged just seven tackles in his five games since, with none in the backfield.

While Armstead could be dealing with lingering effects from his 2023 meniscus injury, which prevented him from playing in the preseason, and aging in general, his drop-off in production as a defensive end compared to when he primarily played defensive tackle is clear.

Upon signing with Jacksonville in March, Armstead said he was “very confident” in his body to hold up, explaining to reporters that he could continue to play at a high level for the foreseeable future. 

“Injuries are a part of sports and I have my plan together in place to make sure I’m putting my body and myself in the best position to be out there for my team. I’m going to do that, and I think it’s going to go very well,” Armstead said at the time.

“I plan to have a long career; I think I got a good five or six more years in me. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

Yet, six games into his new contract, Armstead has recorded a 57.7 grade, the second-worst season by PFF’s metric of his ten-year NFL career. 

Given his inefficiency on the edge, the Jaguars should explore moving Armstead back inside to help the prized free-agent addition contribute to the defense, which gave up 226 passing yards and four touchdowns to rookie Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 6. 

But if Armstead isn’t the answer at defensive tackle, the Jaguars will need their second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Maason Smith, to emerge as one. 

Smith recorded one of Jacksonville’s three sacks against Chicago on Sunday, the first of his career. He has had a relatively quiet rookie season otherwise, however, with five total tackles. He has averaged just over 27 snaps per game over his five appearances.

Jacksonville could also turn to second-year defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo, who started the last two games and accumulated two tackles, two quarterback hits and half a sack against the Colts and Bears. 

Ahead of another London matchup this week, against the Patriots, there is no better time than now to shake things up as the Jaguars continue to search for answers on defense. 

While Robertson-Harris was once a steady contributor to the unit, the Jaguars ultimately viewed him as expendable. They have options to replace him at defensive tackle, but it remains to be seen if the team will deploy them and if the players are up to the task.

WATCH: Week 3 mini movie of Bills win over Jaguars

WATCH: Week 3 mini movie of Bills win over Jaguarsv

The Buffalo Bills put the league on notice with a 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 on ‘Monday Night Football’.

Quarterback Josh Allen threw four touchdowns in the blowout and the Jaguars’ offense looked out of sorts going against the stout Bills defense.

Keon Coleman and Ray Davis each scored their first career touchdown, four others found the endzone, and Damar Hamlin recorded his first career interception.

Relive the special night in Orchard Park with an eight-minute mini movie from the official Buffalo Bills YouTube channel:

Texans to face struggling Trevor Lawrence entering Week 4

Trevor Lawrence’s struggles might bode well in favor of the Houston Texans getting back to their winning ways.

Trevor Lawrence might be among the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history after signing his extension earlier this offseason, but much like his new salary, something hasn’t kicked in yet.

Maybe that’s a win for the Houston Texans as they return to NRG Stadium in Week 4 for their second divisional game of the young season.

Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension in June– including $200 million in guarantees — hasn’t lived up to the billing as a ‘can’t-miss No. 1 overall pick” to begin the 2024 season. Right now, the former No. 1 overall pick is missing easy targets, thus allowing opponents to pull away.

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Through three games, Lawrence is off to his worst start as a pro. His 52.8 completion percentage is the worst in four years, while his 186.7 yards per game also marks a career-low.

In Monday’s 47-10 blowout loss against the Buffalo Bills, Lawrence’s 178 passing yards marked the second-lowest total of the season and 11th all-time. His interception thrown to Damar Hamlin was about as ugly as one pass can look in space.

Texans fans have relished in Lawrence’s regression this season, especially after hearing how C.J. Stroud would struggle in his sophomore campaign. That’s partly true since last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year is off to a slow start, but it’s only Year 2 compared to Year 4.

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Some believe Lawrence could be benched after a rocky start entering what feels like a must-win game. Should the Texans capitalize early, perhaps Lawrence will sit in the fourth quarter knowing that the game is out of reach.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

 

Texans could be without two key offensive weapons in Week 4 vs. Jacksonville

Tank Dell did not participate in Wednesday’s practice for the Houston Texans after leaving early Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Houston Texans’ offense is already short-handed with Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon sidelined,  but it could be getting worse entering Friday’s final walkthrough.

Second-year receiver Tank Dell was missing from practice on Wednesday after leaving in Sunday’s 34-7 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. Not only is he dealing with a rib injury, but he also suffered aliments to the wrist and hand.

His status for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is now in question.

While Dell finished with a season-high five catches for 62 yards, he’s yet to hit his full stride opposite Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the former Houston speedster would be “day-to-day” following Wednesday’s practice.

“We’ll see how Tank goes throughout the week, Ryans said. “He should be fine.”

Dell’s vertical speed offers a second threat for the Texans’ passing game beyond the sticks. Last season as the team’s No. 2 target, he finished with 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns before suffering a season-ending leg injury in early December.

Dell’s been at his best when playing against Jacksonville. Last season in two games, he caught 10 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 19.5 yards per reception.

Cam Akers and Dameon Pierce are expected to start in place of Mixon if he can’t go due to his ankle. Should Dell be out, Houston would likely rotate a trio of Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and former second-round pick John Metchie III.

Kickoff at NRG Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Bills’ Damar Hamlin emotional after MNF return: ‘It was special’

Bills’ Damar Hamlin emotional after MNF return: ‘It was special’

The Buffalo Bills had their big win of the season on the national stage during NFL Week 3, in a 47-10 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football.

On a night of firsts for a handful of Bills, safety Damar Hamlin took the field for his first Monday Night Football start since the January 2023 contest in which he suffered cardiac arrest.

In his return to MNF, Hamlin had a strong performance with five tackles and two pass deflections.

He also got his first career interception.

While it carried significance for the 2021 sixth-round NFL Draft pick from PITT as a career achievement, it was the experience of walking down the tunnel and out to the field that resonated with him.

“Man, it was special,” Hamlin said to the media. “We all know my last start on Monday Night Football and how that game went, so to be able to come all the way back from that and have a special moment like that, it’s all God right there. I’ve been giving him the praise like crazy lately, because it wasn’t easy, but I’m super thankful to my teammates for just the support and the love. That was encouraging.”

Hamlin has recorded 19 tackles through three games this year as he’s manned Buffalo’s defensive backfield alongside Taylor Rapp. He credits his play—and the fact that he’s playing football at all—to his teammates, as playing for them is what fuels his fire.

“It makes all of the emotions way easier when you just go out there and you think about, ‘I just want to make plays for my teammates,'” Hamlin said. “It makes it all simple again.”

The Jags’ offense had a 1st-and-10 at their own 41-yard line when Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence overthrew rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. And Hamlin was there to take away the pass, giving QB Josh Allen and the Bills offense the ball back, which he would then throw to Khalil Shakir for a touchdown and a 27-3 lead.

The young safety’s teammates erupted with excitement when he got the pick and celebrated with and around him.

“Damar, with his first interception, the crowd went crazy, everybody ran out on the field, man, it was inspiring,” said OLB Von Miller, who took the press podium seated alongside Hamlin after the win.

His head coach was moved as well by the on-field moment.

“Damar, what a night for Damar, right?” Sean McDermott said during his press conference. “At home on Monday Night Football, getting his first interception, I believe, of his NFL career. The journey that he’s been on and how he’s persevered.”

Hamlin’s last Monday Night Football start was against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2022 season, his second year in the NFL. He suffered a cardiac arrest during the first quarter of the Week 17 clash, in a broadcast on-field moment in which the NFL world stood still.

The Bills’ medical staff worked quickly to save his life, and he went on to make a full recovery after stabilizing in the hospital. He’s since won a starting safety position battle in Buffalo’s new-look secondary, leading to a very significant moment back on the MNF stage.

Bills WR Keon Coleman on first-career TD: ‘It’s electric’

Bills WR Keon Coleman on first-career TD: ‘It’s electric’

Buffalo got a win on Monday Night Football in front of their home crowd this week in explosive fashion.

The Bills racked up a 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a contest that frequently featured highlights and a number of firsts for players, including rookie Keon Coleman’s first touchdown reception.

The No. 33 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft took the field while the Buffalo offense was eight plays in on its third drive of the game to start the second quarter. It would mark his only catch of the night, but he made it count.

Bills QB Josh Allen found Coleman downfield for a 24-yard catch that the first-year receiver then shook off a defender to take the ball into the end zone, scoring the first touchdown of his career.

“Great play-call by [OC] Joe [Brady],” Coleman said to the media postgame about the play. “Me and [receivers coach] Adam [Henry] watched film on that, came to fruition. Deep crosser, got outside leverage, man, and just beat him to the spot.”

Through three games in OC Joe Brady’s “everybody eats” offense, Coleman has five receptions for 75 yards and the score and has been fourth on the team in receiving yards and fifth in receptions.

After the game, he shared that the first touchdown in front of the home crowd and on a national stage met his expectations completely.

“It lived up to the expectations 100%,” Coleman shared. “Just feeling the crowd, it’s electric. Getting you your first catch of the game for it to go for a touchdown I mean Monday Night Football, I don’t think you can get something else better.”

In terms of playing time, he has seen a position-high 73% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1 and 91% of their snaps in Week 2, making him the most utilized receiver during that period. Yet during Monday Night Football in Week 3, he only played 20 snaps (31%.)

Part of the reason was a first-quarter benching due to an unexcused non-gameday tardiness.

“I’ll mention Keon’s situation, I sat Keon for the first quarter of the game,” McDermott said during the opening of his press conference after the win. “It will be a learning opportunity for him. Really, it was an issue that dealt with being on time. He knows he’s accountable to his teammates. We addressed it. We support him, and we move forward. I thought he played a good game tonight, had that, I think it was one catch for a touchdown there, so that was good to see.”

However, his head coach was confident in how the rookie was handling the situation, both on and off the field.

“I’m just very impressed with the way Keon handled it and then to go back out there in the second quarter, I think it was the second quarter when he caught the touchdown pass. I know how important his teammates are to him, and again, this will be a learning opportunity for him.”

The Bills offense has been rolling in three straight victories to start the season, and the team’s defense has returned to form under McDermott as well to help get those wins.

Next, Buffalo will face one of the first tests of their 2024 campaign, in consecutive road games against the Ravens, Texans, and Jets.

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ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky: Bills defensive line is ‘starting to show itself’

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky: ‘(Bills’) defensive line is starting to show itself’

After a slow start in the first half of Week 1, the Buffalo Bills’ pass rush has been dominant to start the season, and it has national media personalities buzzing about their potential this year.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky joined the Bills’ radio program “One Bills Live” this week and complimented the Bills’ D-line, more specifically the pass rush.

“It’s two weeks into the season, but I do think the [Bills’] defensive line is starting to show itself when it gets to Ed [Oliver], [AJ] Epenesa, Greg [Rousseau], and Von [Miller] in some of those obvious pass situations,” Orlovsky said.

There were concerns about the pass rush going into the season after losing Leonard Floyd to the San Francisco 49ers, but Rousseau has taken his game to another level in year three and Miller looks like his old self. Parlay that with a steady force in Oliver in the middle, and this puts their pass rush among the best in the league to start the season.

“I think the way that Buffalo is handling Von is really smart… I think Greg is really starting to show himself… Ed obviously had another big game,” Orlovsky said.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Bills have the fourth-best pass-rush grade in the NFL, trailing only the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. The run defense has looked middle-of-the-pack thus far, but it has done enough to put the opposing offenses in second-and-long and third-and-long situations. That is when the pass rush is getting there in a blink, some ending in sacks but most affecting the throw from the quarterback.

Through two weeks, the Bills are tied for tenth in sacks (6), and tied for fourth in interceptions (3).

The Bills’ pass rush will try to disrupt the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense on “Monday Night Football,” much like the Browns did in Week 2 when they posted ten hurries and four sacks on 17 total pressures.

“You do not want either of those tackles single blocking Rousseau and or Von right now,” warned Orlovsky regarding the Jaguars’ offensive tackles.

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Jaguars could be without top pass catcher on ‘Monday Night Football’ vs. Bills

Jaguars could be without top pass catcher on ‘Monday Night Football’ vs. Bills

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram injured his hamstring during pregame warmups for Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns. He was forced to miss the game.

Now, his health is in question for the Monday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills.

As of now, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has labeled the injury as week-to-week.

“It was significant enough to keep him out and hold him out of the football game [in Week 2],” Pederson said on Monday. “We’ll see where he is this week… hamstrings can be funny, so it’s kind of a week-to-week deal right now with him.”

The Jaguars looked out of sorts in Week 2’s loss to the Browns, especially on offense. They couldn’t consistently move the ball no matter what they tried.

In their defense, they were missing their top pass-catcher from last year, and they lost him right before kickoff. In 2023, Engram led the team in both targets (143) and receptions (114). He also posted the best catch percentage on the team (79.7%) among those with at least 15 catches.

Engram, a 30-year-old product out of Ole Miss, has been Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target to start the young quarterback’s career. If Engram remains out for Monday Night Football, Lawrence will rely on tight end Brenton Strange to step up, and will look for receivers like Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Brian Thomas Jr. to make some more catches.

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Former 49ers QB C.J. Beathard reportedly on Dolphins’ ‘short list’

C.J. Beathard, who spent four years with Mike McDaniel in San Francisco, is reportedly on the Dolphins’ radar.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard, who most recently had a three-year stint as a backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is reportedly on the Miami Dolphins’ radar in their hunt to add a new passer to the roster.

“I’m told C.J. Beathard is on the short list,” NBC’s Mike Florio reported Sunday night. “He knows the offense and has worked with coach Mike McDaniel in the past.”

Florio also poured water on the idea of former Dolphins top 10 draft pick Ryan Tannehill returning to his first NFL team.

“I’m told Tannehill wants to go somewhere where he’ll be a starter, not just for a week or two, but for the rest of the year,” Florio said.

Beathard, 30, spent the first four years of his career in San Francisco and was drafted by the team in 2017, the same year McDaniel arrived as a member of Kyle Shanahan’s staff. He made 12 starts with the team and finished with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

In three years with the Jaguars, Beathard made only one start in relief of Trevor Lawrence. Last year, he led Jacksonville to a 26-0 win against the Carolina Panthers with 17 completions on 24 attempts for 178 yards without any touchdowns or interceptions.

Beathard battled former New England Patriots’ first-round pick Mac Jones to keep his backup role in Jacksonville, but lost the job, in part, because of a groin injury suffered in preseason.

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