The Jacksonville Jaguars have been without rookie outside linebacker Travon Walker for the last two weeks, but his return isn’t far away.
“He’s close,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters on Wednesday. “Today will be a big day, as will each day this week as we get closer to game time.”
Walker, 22, was listed as questionable for a Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys before he was listed as inactive. Last week, the Jaguars ruled out Walker a day ahead of their Thursday night game against the New York Jets.
On Wednesday, Walker was listed as limited in practice.
The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has 3.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and eight quarterback hits in 13 games this season. While he hasn’t been a consistent pass rusher so far as a rookie, the Jaguars are now thinner than ever at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions after losing Dawuane Smoot to a torn Achilles tendon.
“K’Lavon [Chaisson] will get more time, obviously Josh [Allen], Arden [Key], get Travon back, optimistic of that,” Pederson said when asked about the void left by the Smoot injury. “We’ve got those four guys that can and are going to have to fill that role.”
The Jaguars defense in 15th in the NFL in points allowed and 26th in total yards allowed.