JACKSONVILLE – The day is new and the schedule is, too.
But as Head Coach Doug Pederson sees it, that changes nothing about the game as the Jaguars prepare to play on Monday Night Football for the first time in 12 seasons.
"Last time I checked it was still 60 minutes: You put it on a tee, we kick it off and we play football," Pederson said Saturday as the AFC South-leading Jaguars (8-3) prepared to play the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) at EverBank Stadium Monday at 8:15 p.m.
The Jaguars are 8-7 all-time on MNF with their last Monday game being a 38-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers in Jacksonville on December 5, 2011. The Jaguars have played four previous prime-time games since Pederson became head coach in 2022 and are 4-0 in those games.
"Sometimes we make it bigger than it really is," Pederson said. "It's a big to-do to play on Monday night. It's exciting for everybody, but at the same time it just boils down to just doing your job, know the football game and and do everything you can to try to win it."
NOTABLE - INJURY UPDATES
- Running back Travis Etienne Jr. was listed as questionable on Saturday’s final injury report of the week, with Pederson saying Etienne's expected to play Monday; Etienne sustained a rib injury in a victory over the Houston Texans this past Sunday. Cornerback Tyson Campbell also was listed as questionable, with Pederson saying he is "doing well." We'll get another good day today and make that determination," Pederson said of Campbell, who has missed four of the last five games with a hamstring injury. Tight end Luke Farrell also was listed as questionable with a toe injury Saturday.
- Rookie tight end Brenton Strange was listed as questionable on the Saturday injury report with a foot injury that Pederson said he sustained in a one-on-one drill in practice Friday. Strange was the lone Jaguars player not practicing Saturday. "He has a lot of time between now and Monday night, so we'll see where he's at," Pederson said.
