Could Jaguars WR Zay Jones be a cap casualty?

PFF thinks Zay Jones could be released to clear cap space. Does that make sense, though?

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t exactly starved for salary cap space with an estimated $11.3 million that puts them right around the middle of the NFL rankings. But if the team hopes to retain Josh Allen and/or Calvin Ridley while also making moves to improve the roster, some money will need to be freed up.

There are a few avenues to make that happen, but Pro Football Focus highlighted a somewhat surprising one in their list of “cut candidates.” According to PFF, the Jaguars should consider parting ways with wide receiver Zay Jones. Via PFF:

“Jones missed multiple stretches of the 2023 season, and Jacksonville is preparing to bring fellow wideout Calvin Ridley back on a much bigger veteran contract. The emergence of rookie Parker Washington could help fill the void here in 2024 and beyond.”

Jones, who turns 29 next month, recorded a career-best 82 receptions for 823 yards during the 2022 season. He struggled through knee injuries for much of 2023, though, and recorded only 34 receptions for 321 yards in nine games played.

But he’s not exactly breaking the bank either. His $10,752,628 salary cap hit in 2024 isn’t that cumbersome and the Jaguars can only get $4,183,294 of savings by cutting ties.

So the question comes down to whether the Jaguars would prefer to have Jones or about $4.2 million in additional cap space.

While it’s true that the development of Parker Washington could mean a veteran is pushed out, that appears to be Jamal Agnew, who is headed for free agency next month.

If the Jaguars retain Ridley or overhaul their receiving corps by adding another player or two in the offseason — perhaps both — then Jones could easily be the odd man out. But now doesn’t seem like the time to part with the receiver just to free up a few million when there are significantly more lucrative avenues.

It’s worth pointing out too that Jones is currently involved in an active court case after getting arrested in November on a domestic battery charge. Jacksonville may be hesitant to make a decision about Jones before the case is resolved and the NFL makes a punishment ruling.

A roster spot in 2024 for Jones is by no means guaranteed, but it’d be a surprise if his release is coming any time soon.

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Top 15 plays of the Jaguars’ 2023 season

The Jaguars didn’t end up in the playoffs like they hoped, but they still made several impressive plays en route to a winning record.

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t end up in the playoffs as fans hoped and most expected.

Instead of defending their AFC South title from the season prior, the team lost five of its last six to stumble to a 9-8 finish. That wasn’t enough to beat out the Houston Texans for the division crown and didn’t earn them a wild card berth either.

While the ho-hum ending to the year left a sour taste, Jacksonville’s talented roster still turned out a few impressive plays en route to a winning record in the 2023 season.

Here are the Jaguars’ top 15 plays of the season:

8 moves the Jaguars could make to create cap space in 2024

The Jaguars may need to create cap space if they hope to make moves this offseason.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are projected to enter the 2024 offseason with much more salary cap space than they did when they were over the limit heading into the 2023 offseason.

This time around, the Jaguars have more room to maneuver, but there are also some moves that could eat up that space quickly. For one, the team seems likely to franchise tag Josh Allen, which would guarantee the pass rusher about $22 million for the 2024 season.

If Jacksonville hopes to make that move along with any other additions or extensions in the 2024 offseason, the team simply has to find a way to create more room.

Fortunately for the Jaguars there are ways to make that happen. Some of the decisions will be relatively easy, others will be a much tougher call.

Here are eight ways the Jaguars could cut costs and clear space this offseason:

5 best Jaguars player prop bets for Week 18

With Trevor Lawrence and Zay Jones officially active, here are five prop bet picks for Sunday.

Player prop bets have been hard to come by for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

With Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk, and Zay Jones all listed as questionable, oddsmakers held off on setting totals. With Lawrence and Jones announced as active, and Kirk held out, the props finally rolled in.

Even Titans props were few and far between for much of he week with the status of rookie quarterback Will Levis in doubt. On Friday, Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel announced Ryan Tannehill will get the start.

If you’re looking to get in on the action this week with some player prop bets, we’ve got you covered with a handful of wagers to make on the Jaguars. The following prop bets are available on BetMGM, with the listed odds last updated at the time of publication.

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Trevor Lawrence, 2 other Jaguars questionable for Week 18 vs. Titans

Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk, and Zay Jones are all questionable for a Week 18 game against the Titans.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones are all questionable for a Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Friday.

All three players were limited in all three practices this week, although Jones appears to be the likeliest to play Sunday. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Friday that he expects Jones will be able to play against the Titans, while Lawrence and Kirk will be closer calls.

The status of Kirk will be revealed Saturday when the Jaguars decide whether or not they’ll activate the veteran receiver from the injured reserve. Pederson said that the decision about Lawrence may not happen until close to kickoff Sunday.

For the Titans, the big injury news Friday is that quarterback Ryan Tannehill will start against the Jaguars, despite the fact that rookie Will Levis hasn’t been ruled out.

Levis is one of five Titans players listed as questionable, while four players have been ruled out.

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Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk limited again Thursday

The Jaguars made only one small change to their injury report Thursday with a game against the Titans only days away.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report on Thursday looked almost identical to its Wednesday report ahead of a Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Once again, no players were absent and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Christian Kirk, and wide receiver Zay Jones were the only ones limited.

The only difference from the Wednesday report is that backup quarterback C.J. Beathard was added with a left shoulder injury, despite practicing fully.

Beathard was forced into starting duties in Week 17 due to the shoulder injury suffered by Lawrence. While he had no injury designation heading into the game, Beathard was listed with the same left shoulder injury in the practice reports leading up to that game against the Carolina Panthers.

On Wednesday, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson spoke positively about the progress made by Lawrence and Kirk, but wasn’t willing to say much about the likelihood that either play Sunday.

Kirk is still on injured reserve, but had his 21-day window to practice ahead of a return opened Wednesday.

For the Titans, the notable news is that Will Levis returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday due to a foot injury.

Also noteworthy is the fact that center Aaron Brewer was added to the report with an ankle injury, making the status of three Titans offensive linemen in doubt.

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Jaguars expecting ‘intensity’ from eliminated Titans in Week 18

The Titans don’t have much to play for Sunday, but the Jaguars say they won’t make the mistake of underestimating their opponent.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be playing for the AFC South title when they visit Nashville in Week 18. The Tennessee Titans won’t be playing for much of anything.

While three teams are tied for the division lead heading into the final week, the 5-11 Titans are way out of the postseason hunt. Jacksonville doesn’t expect to see a checked out Tennessee team, though. Ruining the Jaguars season with a Week 18 win sounds right up Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s alley, actually.

“There’s a level of intensity and physicality with Tennessee and Mike’s teams over the years,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday. “Regardless of where they might be right now or whatever the situation, these guys are going to play hard for Mike and Mike is going to do everything he can to win this game.”

Earlier this year, the Titans came to EverBank Stadium and lost 34-14 in a one-sided game against the Jaguars. It was a similar story last year when the Jaguars won 36-22 in the first meeting. While Tennessee had a chance at the AFC South title in the Week 18 rematch that time, the Titans were on a six-game losing streak heading into the matchup.

Still, the Titans led late in the fourth quarter and the Jaguars didn’t lead until less than three minutes were left in their 20-16 win.

“I think it’s highly disrespectful to underestimate a man who has dedicated his entire life to his niche, his platform, his trade, his job, whatever you want to call it,” Jaguars receiver Zay Jones said Wednesday, via 1010XL. “These are professional football players. They get paid at a high level to do what they do too. So I’d be mistaken to go into this game thinking that there’s one man on that side who’s not playing for something.”

Two years ago, the Jaguars ended an eight-game losing streak by winning their last game and improving 3-14 in the process. That unlikely win also meant the Indianapolis Colts missed the playoffs.

Jacksonville would be wise not to underestimate the Titans and walk into a similar fate.

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Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk limited in Wednesday practice

The Jaguars had both Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk back on the practice field Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report is looking a lot smaller with the end of the regular season just days away and the team is getting close to having arguably its two most important offensive players back on the field.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones were all limited in the team’s Wednesday practice ahead of a Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Lawrence, 24, is working to come back from a shoulder sprain he suffered in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After missing all three practices last week, the quarterback was forced to miss the first game of his NFL career.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Jaguars activated the 21-day practice window for Kirk, who is still technically on injured reserve after suffering a core muscle injury in December. The receiver revealed after his first practice in about a month that he had been dealing with a partial tear since October.

The Jaguars were without Jones in Weeks 16 and 17 due to a hamstring injury.

For the Titans, it was a much lengthier injury report ahead of the regular season finale.

Will Levis, a second-round rookie, has started nine games for the Titans this season, but exited the team’s Week 17 game with a foot injury. If he can’t play Sunday, the Titans would turn to Ryan Tannehill to start in what may be his last game with the team.

 

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Jaguars WR Zay Jones inactive vs. Panthers in Week 17

The Jaguars will be without both Trevor Lawrence and Zay Jones on Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones joined quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the team’s list of inactives for a Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Jones, 28, was the only Jaguars player whose status was in doubt for Sunday. The team ruled out Lawrence on Friday and listed both Jones and offensive tackle Cam Robinson as questionable. The latter’s designation was mostly procedural, as the team didn’t move Robinson from the injured reserve until Saturday.

Joining Lawrence and Jones on the team’s list of inactives are outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah, offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen, defensive tackle Angelo Blackson.

Jones has now missed eight games this season due to knee and hamstring injuries.

For the Panthers, former Jacksonville first-round pick C.J. Henderson is a healthy scratch and former Jaguars free agent addition Shaquill Griffin is active in his place.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn was questionable for the contest, but is not listed among the team’s Week 17 inactives and will play Sunday.

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Jaguars vs. Buccaneers inactives: WR Zay Jones ruled out

The Jaguars will be down another receiver Sunday against the Buccaneers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without wide receiver Zay Jones on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ninety minutes ahead of kickoff in the Week 16 matchup, the Jaguars released their list of inactives for the game, which included Jones and four other players.

Jones out of action isn’t much of a surprise after he pulled up with a hamstring injury in Week 15. On Friday, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said it’d be a long shot for the veteran receiver to play in Tampa Bay.

“Probably not, he is trending well, he’s working off to the side with our trainers and medical staff,” Pederson said. “With a hamstring, it’s a touchy situation and I don’t want to risk anything further as we continue our season, so probably not.”

The more surprising inactive is Gregory Junior, who appears to be a healthy scratch and seems to be getting replaced in the lineup by rookie defensive back Antonio Johnson.

Back in the lineup for the Jaguars are defensive backs Tyson Campbell and Andre Cisco, as well as rookie tight end Brenton Strange.

For the Buccaneers, there will be no significant players missing from the lineup:

The question was whether the calf injury that kept Antoine Winfield Jr. out of practice Friday would keep him out Sunday. While the defensive back was questionable, he’ll be on the field against the Jaguars.

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