Tag: NFL regular season week 13

Jaguars activate LB Jake Ryan from reserve/non-football injury list

The Jags seemingly will have some much-needed help at linebacker this Sunday after activating LB Jake Ryan prior to Week 13’s game.

Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars had been heavily anticipating the debut of linebacker Jake Ryan and it appears they will finally have their wishes granted. The team announced that the veteran linebacker was activated from their reserve/non-football injury list Saturday, which should provide some much needed help to their struggling linebackers group.

To make room for his addition, the Jags waived running back and punt returner Tyler Ervin.

Ryan, 27, signed with the Jags this offseason due to his relationship with defensive advisor Dom Capers back in Green Bay, who previously served as the Packers defensive coordinator. Ryan was drafted by Green Bay in the fourth-round of the 2015 draft (selection No. 129) and played for them until 2018. However, in July of last season, he tore his ACL and missed the whole 2018 season.

While with the Packers Ryan managed to accumulate 213 total tackles, a sack, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

After signing with the Jags this March, Ryan was expected to be available for the regular season but suffered a setback in August. After working hard on a return, he resumed practicing with the team after the bye week and it appears the coaching staff liked the strides he made.

Ryan’s signing could be a sign that starting MIKE linebacker Myles Jack will be unavailable Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs after surfacing on the final injury report as questionable with a knee injury. It remains to be seen what position Ryan will play but fans shouldn’t rule out him seeing snaps at MIKE linebacker where Jack has struggled even when healthy.

LB Myles Jack and CB Tre Herndon ruled questionable vs. Bucs, 2 others ruled out

The Jags may have to face the Bucs’ explosive passing attack down three players on the back seven.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without several members of their back seven Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs as multiple players from the group were on the final injury report. The most notable name on the list was starting MIKE LB Myles Jack (knee), who was ruled questionable alongside starting cornerback Tre Herndon (shoulder).

Both Jack and Herndon were limited Friday. However, Jack missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practice. If neither or just one player can go, the Jags could find themselves in a bad situation as the Bucs’ offense is ranked fourth in passing and third in points.

The Jags will also be without safety Ronnie Harrison Sunday after he sustained a concussion against the Tennessee Titans Week 12. He was in the process of bringing down Titans tight end MyCole Pruitt and incidentally collided with teammate Jarrod Wilson on the way down. As a result, he didn’t practice all week.

The last player listed on the injury report was tight end Seth DeValve (oblique), who has missed the Jags’ previous two games. Once again, he didn’t practice all week and fans will have to wait until next week for a possible return.

3 bold predictions for Bucs vs. Jags

DJ Chark could be up for another game with two touchdowns and 120-plus yards as the Bucs are struggling mightily against the pass.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to start the month of December on the right track this Sunday against their in-state rivals in the Tampa Bay Bucs. Both teams will come into the game below .500, but most fans would agree they have the talent to make this game competitive and interesting.

Here are three bold predictions for Sunday’s game, which will take place at TIAA Bank Field:

Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

WR DJ Chark Jr. will have his second 150-plus yard day with two touchdowns

The Jags will be up against the No. 31 ranked passing defense (289.9 YPG average) Sunday, which sets DJ Chark Jr. and the passing game up to eat. He’s been Nick Foles’ favorite receiver since his return from collarbone surgery and that likely won’t change this year.

Despite the success of Foles’ and Chark’s connection, the young receiver had his second-lowest receiving yards total of the year last week against the Tennessee Titans (38). Typically when he doesn’t get going and/or Leonard Fournette struggles, the Jags normally don’t have a good day on offense. That said, they need to get to Chark early and often.

There will be times where he and the Jags’ other receivers are lining up against rookie cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who is learning the game. He currently has a grade of 58.5 on Pro Football Focus while Chark is one of the highest-graded Jags on the roster with a 80.7. Those numbers alone should warrant a lot of targets for Chark.

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3 Jaguars to watch on defense vs. Bucs

The Jags defense will need to have a solid day Sunday against the Bucs passing attack, which could lead to Josh Allen getting more snaps.

The Jacksonville Jaguars went winless in November and will look to get away from that in December. First up on their schedule for the upcoming month are their in-state rivals in the Tampa Bay Bucs, who are coming off a solid win against the Atlanta Falcons.

Here are three Jaguars to watch on the defensive side of the ball, as the Jags try to cool down a hot Bucs offense:

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

CB Tre Herndon

The Jags’ passing defense will be very important in Sunday’s game. Bruce Arians has his group clicking through the air as they rank fourth in passing yards (288.1 YPG), fourth in total yards (386.4 YPG) and third in points scored (28.4 PPG).

A big part of their success is due to their dynamic duo at the receiver position in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who have nine and seven touchdowns on the season, respectively. Both receivers will also roll into Sunday’s game with over 1,000 yards receiving and will be matched up against A.J. Bouye and Tre Herndon.

With Arians and former Jags quarterback turned coordinator Byron Leftwich making the game-plan, the Cards will test Herndon more than Bouye, and he must answer the call as he did against the New York Jets when he had two picks. However, if he doesn’t it could be a long day for the Jags on defense.

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3 things to know for Bucs vs. Jaguars

The Tampa Bay Bucs could be a big challenge for the Jags, especially with the dynamic receivers they have in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are struggling now more than ever and are looking for a much needed confidence boost. Hopefully, Week 13 can provide just that as the team returns home to face off against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Here are three things to know for Sunday’s matchup:

Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville leads the series with a 4-2 record

These two Floridian rivals rarely face off against one another. With the way the NFL’s current scheduling system is set up, the teams play on average once every four seasons. The two teams have met on just six occasions, with Jacksonville coming away victorious four of those times.

Jacksonville will enter Sunday’s game as the favorite. Coming off of an ugly three game stretch, the Jaguars are in desperate need of a rebound game. Hopefully, the struggling Bucs can help Jacksonville right the ship.

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