The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled out running back James Robinson (ankle) and receiver Collin Johnson (hamstring) on Friday’s final injury report but made it official by listing both on Sunday’s list of inactives. The two were listed with quarterback …
The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled out running back James Robinson (ankle) and receiver Collin Johnson (hamstring) on Friday’s final injury report but made it official by listing both on Sunday’s list of inactives. The two were listed with quarterback Jake Luton, cornerback Luq Barcoo, linebacker Quincy Williams, tight end Tyler Davis, and defensive lineman Caraun Reid for Sunday’s game against Chicago.
7 players are inactive today against the Bears:
6 QB Jake Luton 19 WR Collin Johnson 30 RB James Robinson 36 CB Luq Barcoo 56 LB Quincy Williams 87 TE Tyler Davis 92 DL Caraun Reid pic.twitter.com/yqXV3VhYqV
With Johnson out, the Jags will have four receivers on the active roster in D.J. Chark Jr., Chris Conley, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Keelan Cole.
Robinson’s absence, on the other hand, is one that will be a little more significant as he’s their biggest source of offense. With him out, the Jags will likely let Devin Ozigbo and Dare Ogunbowale handle most of Robinson’s carries. The team also has Craig Reynolds, rookie Nathan Cottrell, and fullback Bruce Miller on the roster to help out at the tailback position.
Of the group of available running backs, it seems as if Ozigbo would be the one to get the start as he’s been with the team since last year. If he gets the nod, Sunday would mark his first career start.
Former Jaguars DL Calais Campbell won’t be suiting up Week 15 to take on his old team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens have released their lists of inactives for Sunday’s game, and for Baltimore, there are several notables within their group of seven.
Former Jaguar Calais Campbell won’t be suiting up Sunday after he was ruled questionable Friday with a calf injury. They also ruled out to of their veteran corners in Jimmy Smith (ruled out on the final injury report) and Marcus Peters with ribs/shoulder and calf injuries, respectively.
On offense, the Ravens listed running back Mark Ingram as a healthy scratch. However, his absence could be because the Ravens are looking to rest him down the stretch.
The Jags’ list of inactives was the same as it’s been the last few weeks, although cornerback Luq Barcoo surfaced on it when the argument could be made that he’d be better off active as the Jags have injuries in the secondary. The team already ruled out starting cornerback Sidney Jones IV (Achilles) Friday, so Barcoo would’ve provided them with a player who has started this season.
With Jones out, the Jags appear to be rolling with Chris Claybrooks and Tre Herndon as their starting corners, while Josiah Scott will handle the duties at Nickelback. The Jags also activated cornerback Quenton Meeks from their practice squad.
Five players are inactive today against the Ravens:
6 QB Jake Luton 35 CB Sidney Jones IV 36 CB Luq Barcoo 56 LB Quincy Williams 93 DT Daniel Ross pic.twitter.com/rlvzoZgcXT
After a good performance Week 12 against the Browns, Mike Glennon regressed in his second start as a Jaguar.
The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their losing ways Week 13 as they fell to the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 27-24. The game was another extremely close one for the Cardiac Cats as they lost their fifth game by less than four points on the year.
The Jags fell to 1-11 on the year and have lost eleven games straight firmly entrenching themselves in the race to draft one of the top quarterback picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Those draft picks could either be Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State Buckeyes signal-caller Justin Fields.
As usual, the Jaguars had some players who stood out Sunday despite the loss, while other notable players also struggled Week 13. Here are the winners and losers of Sunday’s matchup with the Vikings which ended up going into overtime:
Winner: LB Joe Schobert
One of the Jags’ biggest free-agent acquisitions has been former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler linebacker, Joe Schobert. Schobert, who signed with Jacksonville this offseason on a five-year $47.5 million deal, currently leads the team in tackles with 57 total and was a force on the field against the Vikings. Schobert finished the game with 12 tackles, one sack, and a pivotal 43-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Schobert also teamed up with fellow standout linebacker Myles Jack to hold Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to 3.7 yards per carry and no touchdowns. Cook was the No. 2 running back in yardage coming into the game against the Jags with 1,130. While he finished the day with 120 yards rushing overall, he was bottled up early in the first half as he was held to only 21 yards rushing when looking at the first two quarters. Schobert and Co. did a fine job minimizing the amount of running lanes that Cook and the Vikings offense had early in the game.
While the veteran’s arrival in Jacksonville has been a mixed bag, he had a standout day against the Vikings and did his part to try and get Jacksonville the victory.
Loser: Luq Barcoo
Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a tough year so far for Jaguars undrafted rookie cornerback Luq Barcoo.
After having a tough time in the early stages of Week 12’s game against wide receiver Jarvis Landry but later settling down, the San Diego State standout would struggle again Week 13. However, it didn’t come as a shock when considering his playtime in comparison to who he was covering in Vikings rookie receiver and ascending star Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson was surgical in his route running against Barcoo and the secondary, finishing the game with nine receptions for 121 yards. However, one of his highlight plays of the day came in the form of a 20-yard touchdown from Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Barcoo also gave up a huge 40-yard reception to Jefferson where Cousins simply dropped the ball right where it needed to be. That set up running back C.J. Hamm for a touchdown on the next play.
Due to a rash of injuries in the Jags secondary, Luq Barcoo has been called upon to step up more, however, it has been quite the trial by fire. Time will tell if he can improve in the coming weeks.
Winner: Dawuane Smoot
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jaguars defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot has developed into quite the underrated sack artist.
The third-year player out of Illinois University may have had his best game Week 13 as he finished the game with four tackles, two hits on the quarterback, and two sacks. When looking at his season overall, Smoot now leads the Jags with 4.5 sacks after Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
With the defense ravaged by injuries, Smoot has been called upon to apply pressure in the pass-rush and he has been successful in doing so. He now has a sack in back-to-back games after getting a sack against the Browns, too.
After a solid performance last week against the Browns, Jags quarterback Mike Glennon took a step back against the Vikings.
While the overall stat line wasn’t far from terrible as Glennon accumulated a 66.7% completion rate with 280 passing yards and a touchdown, he threw two very costly picks and made some critical mistakes down the stretch.
The first interception was a throw intended for tight end Tyler Eifert that was unfortunately ripped away by Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler. However, the second was a blatant misfire to receiver D.J. Chark Jr. that was easily taken away by Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith in overtime.
Glennon also took a safety in the fourth quarter after a fumble and two punts on the preceding drives. The journeyman signal-caller also contributed to the turnover issues even more by fumbling late in the third quarter. That fumble would then lead to a Vikings’ touchdown by Jefferson.
If it weren’t for the myriad of turnovers from Glennon, he would have had a great game as he and the Jags were spectacular in the first half with 162 yards passing and outperformed Cousins for much of the game. The result from Sunday’s game shows that there are still problems behind center for the Jaguars that will not be solved this season.
The Jags will be without their best cornerback as they take on the Vikings Sunday.
The Jacksonville Jaguars listed six players to their inactives list for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. The group included three of the five players who were ruled out Friday in cornerback Sidney Jones IV (Achilles), and linebackers Dakota Allen (hamstring) and Kamalei Correa (hamstring).
As for the others, quarterback Jake Luton, tight end Tyler Davis, and defensive end Reggie Gilbert were also listed
Jake Luton and Sidney Jones are inactive today against the Vikings.
Of the names on the list, Jones is the biggest as he’s their best cornerback. Sunday’s game will be the third he’s missed for the Jags and his presence has clearly been missed when looking at the Jags’ struggles to stop their opponents top receivers. It’s also hurt them as far as turnovers goes because he leads the team in picks with two and has also caused a forced fumble.
Taking his place in the lineup will likely be rookie Luq Barcoo, who flashed last week against Cleveland. It was his second game as an active player and he finished it with four tackles, one of which was for a loss.
As for the Vikings, tight end Irv Smith Jr. was amongst their notables to be listed on the inactives list.
The Jags’ defense had themselves a day in Saturday’s scrimmage with new additions like Timmy Jernigan and Luq Barcoo standing out.
The Jacksonville Jaguars took the field for their fifth padded practice Saturday, which doubled as a scrimmage (minus the fans). With the offense having a good week heading into this point, the defensive unit was the better of the two Saturday as Friday’s maintenance day seemingly helped them.
Here are some takeaways we gathered from Saturday’s session which proved to be another productive day for the Jags:
Timmy Jernigan begins to make noise for DL
The signing of Timmy Jernigan on Monday was the news of the week for the Jags and he’s beginning to find his footing it appears. His name was one mentioned by several in attendance Saturday as he gave the offensive line issues in the trenches and found himself disrupting plays on several occasions.
Thought defense had one of its better overall efforts in camp. They didn't give up many highlight plays, if any. Myles Jack performed well, along with rookie CBs Josiah Scott, Luq Barcoo, Chris Claybrooks, DT Timmy Jernigan, DT Doug Costin.
John Reid of The Florida Times-Unionnoted that Jernigan’s presence was felt during the Jags’ 19-play scrimmage. In particular, he had a play during a goal-line snap where he shot the gap and overpowered offensive lineman Blake Hance. Had it been in a game, the play would’ve been a sack for Jernigan on rookie quarterback Jake Luton.
Young secondary members step up
Thursday we noted that the Jags’ young secondary members struggled against Keenan McCardell’s receivers group Thursday as they were without starters Ronnie Harrison (concussion protocol) and C.J. Henderson (non-coronavirus related). Since, Harrison has returned but Henderson remains out, which has given the staff a chance to look at other young players in his spot.
One player in particular who was mentioned frequently was undrafted rookie Luq Barcoo, a player who’ve we told our readers to be mindful of in the past. During Saturday’s scrimmage, Reid noted that Barcoo stepped up to break up a 20-yard post pattern to camp star D.J. Chark Jr. This just adds to many noteworthy plays he’s made over the last few days as he pushes for a roster spot in what is a crowded group of corners.
Speaking of the cornerback group being crowded, fourth-round draft pick Josiah Scott has been active, too. He’s done it all from acquiring multiple picks, to causing pass breakups, and has been near the ball frequently. Those all are good signs for a player who the Jags probably believe is their nickelback of the future.
First Coast News’ Mia O’Brien also singled out seventh-round rookie Chris Claybrooks for making a play on receiver Michael Walker as he ran a curl route. Claybrooks was able to make a full extension breakup on the pass (by Luton).
O’Brien also singled out second-year safety Andrew Wingard, who is being viewed as a special teams leader by the staff. During Saturday’s practice, he was calling out checks and commands for the unit as they are looking for a new leader with players like Lerentee McCray and Cody Davis gone.
LB Myles Jack and RB Leonard Fournette go back and forth
Two of the team’s leaders, Myles Jack and Leonard Fournette, exchanged blows in 1-on-1s with Jack striking first in a blitz pickup drill. Jack was able to catch Fournette with a swim move as the fourth-year running back dipped his head and lost track of him. When it came to coverage, however, Fournette proved to give Jack issues who struggled with his footing on multiple occasions.
Secondary coach Tim Walton also met with the media before Saturday’s practice. He discussed the growth of C.J. Henderson, the personalities within his group, and more.
The Jags made a signing after their scrimmage, adding tight end Matt Flanagan. They waived/injured second-year tight end Charles Jones to make room for the transaction.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with San Diego State cornerback prospect Luq Barcoo
The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded with big-name prospects from powerhouse programs, but teams are always looking for those under-the-radar players in the later rounds who can still make a big impact in the pros.
One such player in this year’s cornerback class? San Diego State’s Luq Barcoo, who recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about making the transition from JUCO, the adversity he’s had to overcome throughout his life, and why an NFL team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.
JM: You arrived at San Diego State by way of JUCO, Grossmont to be specific. You spent the first year at San Diego State playing in more of a reserve role. What was that first year playing D-I like?
LB: That first year was definitely a bit of a transition year for me. I had to adapt and get used to the system. We didn’t have much of a system at Grossmont, to be honest with you. I definitely went through a bit of a learning phase. I had to get comfortable with the system. I definitely played a lot of football throughout my first year at San Diego State though. I wasn’t a starter at cornerback that first year, but they definitely subbed me into the game quite a bit. I got a lot of playing time. That’s what got me comfortable with the defense. I needed the live reps. My coaches understood that.
JM: What was the biggest culture shock or difference for you between JUCO and D-I?
LB: I would say that it was the structure. We didn’t have as much structure at Grossmont. I had to make the transition to a very structured environment. The coaching staff held you accountable for everything that you did and I appreciated that. It’s just different than JUCO. Sometimes you have to be the bigger person in certain situations. Even if you weren’t the one who initiated something, take responsibility for something that you did. Having that sort of structure was definitely the biggest change for me.
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
JM: You had nine interceptions and 16 pass break-ups in 2019. You lead the nation in both categories. What is it about your game that allows you to be around the ball so often?
LB: I feel like my mentality is just different. I’m always itching to make a big play. I’m always looking to make an impact on the field. To make the highlights, you have to be around the ball. The game revolves around the ball. Wherever the ball is, I’m gonna do my best to be around it and make a play on it.
I feel like the best part of my game is my ability to create turnovers. Nine interceptions was a great result for me in 2019. Being around the ball and making plays on it is definitely the focal point of my game.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the cornerback position?
LB: I come from a tough background. I overcame a lot of obstacles and faced a lot of adversity throughout my childhood. I just like the edginess that comes with playing cornerback. Not everybody can play cornerback. I love that job. I love playing with a chip on my shoulder. It’s a tough job and I welcome the challenge. I love the competition aspect of it.
I’m confident in my ability to compete at a very high level. There’s a certain edge you have to have to play cornerback. It just brings that competitiveness out of me. It’s a hard position to play. It takes a special type of person to play the cornerback position. I love to compete against a wide receiver. You have to step up to the plate and welcome the challenge.
JM: What can you tell me about your background and the obstacles you’ve had to overcome?
LB: Life was rough growing up. I definitely overcame a lot and faced some adversity as a child. My relationship with my mother, my spiritualism, and my faith in God is what got me through a lot of things that I was exposed to early on in life. I grew up in a single-parent household. My mother had six children, including me. Life was tough. I was exposed to a lot of things that the average kid isn’t exposed to. I had to grow up fast. I matured faster than most kids.
Every obstacle I faced helped me develop quicker. It allowed my mentality to grow. I had to establish myself as a young adult. I had to mature. I don’t look at the things I’ve gone through as a crutch for me to lean on. I was always very optimistic. It wasn’t going to be my downfall. I can look back and smile. It’s the reason I am who I am today. I look forward to what the future holds. I’m ready to work hard.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in prior to the spread of COVID-19?
LB: I didn’t get to make any of them, unfortunately. I had a few of them scheduled. They all got canceled. They were supposed to happen right when the virus really started to take off. I’ve definitely had a lot of conference calls and FaceTime sessions since then. I’ve been receiving a lot of interest.
(Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
JM: Who are some of the teams that you’ve met with via FaceTime and what not?
LB: I’ve spoken with a ton of teams. I’ve virtually met with at least 20 teams. As for which teams I feel like are really showing a lot of interest, teams that I’ve had a ton of calls with, I’d mention the 49ers, Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs and Colts. I’ve met with so many teams. I’m so excited for the future.
JM: What are three traits that a successful cornerback must possess?
LB: I believe that mentality comes first and foremost. You have to have a short-term memory in order to play this position at a high level. You’re gonna get beat sometimes. It’s a passing league nowadays. Offenses are designed to look for the big play. When you get beat on a play, you have to have the mental capacity to come back on the next rep and compete once again. Once that play is over, you have to let it go. Playing cornerback puts a lot of mental stress on you. It’s a big part of the game and you have to be able to handle that.
Secondly, it takes a certain skill-set to play this position. Your body has to be able to move a certain way. You have to have good play speed, your change of direction needs to be effortless and so on. You have to break a certain way at the top of the route. Your body has to be able to handle all of that.
Lastly, you have to be a competitor. Playing cornerback comes with a lot of competitiveness and drive. It’s a tough position. You could be having an excellent game and then with the game on the line, maybe they’re targeting you in the end zone. You could have played well the entire game and still cost your team the game on the last play. You have to be locked in for all 60 minutes. It takes a high focus level to compete at this position.
JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Luq Barcoo?
LB: I believe I have what it takes to become a successful cornerback in the NFL. I feel like I check off every box. My mentality and focus can’t be topped, and my ball production and ability to create turnovers makes me a unique play-maker. The skill-set and production are there. I have the physical ability as well. I have the mental capability to sustain myself at the next level.
I’m ready for the adversity, I’m ready for the challenge. I don’t think many people have been through what I’ve been through. My ability to overcome adversity will get me through anything. Once I get on a team, I’ll have the mental capability to handle any and every challenge that comes my way. My experience has proven that. I’m mentally and physically ready to showcase what I have to offer.
