JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' cornerback issue continues.
So does their roster turnover.
Jaguars cornerback Sidney Jones IV, who missed three consecutive starts with an Achilles issue before starting this past week, will miss Sunday's game at Baltimore. The Jaguars ruled Jones out Friday.
Tre Herndon, who started opposite Jones last week, is in the team's COVID-19/Reserve list and must clear COVID-19 protocols to play Sunday.
Chris Claybrooks, a rookie who started two games this season, is expected to be activated off injured reserve. Greg Mabin, rookie Luq Barcoo and rookie Josiah Scott are also available at corner, along with practice-squad corner Quenton Meeks – who played against Tennessee last week.
"It will look like that," Marrone said as the Jaguars (1-12) prepared to play the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Jaguars entering Sunday's game have used 79 players this season, the second-highest total in NFL history. The Miami Dolphins used 84 players last season.
"I've always guarded myself to understand the situation, but to never really use it to be a crutch," Marrone said of the roster turnover. "It's probably just the way I was brought up. I grew up with tough coaches and no one ever let us get away with making an excuse or anything like that.
"Obviously, those numbers are staggering when I first heard them. It's unfortunate. You would look and say, 'Hey, listen, the team that has the least amount of that has the best chance of winning – if they have the right people.'"
Marrone said injuries likely factored into the turnover along with player performance.
"I was shocked when I heard it – and the number will go up, too," he said. "It's not not going to go up."
Marrone added, "The other day, [veteran wide receiver] Keelan Cole came up to me and said, 'Every week it seems like there's a different guy next to me in the locker room.' I said, 'Hey, well … I get it.'''
Marrone on Friday also addressed comments made Thursday by weak-side linebacker Myles Jack regarding Marrone's job status. Jack, a fifth-year veteran and defensive captain, supported Marrone and said he "would absolutely vouch" for Marrone's return.
"I always caution the players not to really comment on anything like that, honestly," Marrone said. "It's something they don't control, and I don't think it ever really looks good for the coach when things like that come out either way. I really don't. I respect Myles. There are about eight or nine guys on this team … we've been obviously through a lot. They've been there from the beginning and I have great respect for them. At the end of the day, I feel like there's a professional relationship there. I feel like I've always shot them straight and I've always felt they've been up front and honest with me.
"From that standpoint, I have a great deal of respect for that."
NOTABLE I
Jaguars cornerback CJ Henderson's rookie season is over, Marrone said Friday. Henderson, the No. 9 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been out since a Week 10 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury. "We've met with the medical staff and we just don't feel like he's going to be recovered to be able to play, so we don't feel he will be back," Marrone said. Henderson, whose interception was key to the Jaguars' Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, finished with 36 tackles, an interception, six passes defensed and a forced fumble. "The first game, I was really excited; we were all excited," Marrone said. "I thought he played really well, at a really high level. We've seen the athleticism on the field. There was a little bit of a stretch there where he was playing probably like a first-year player. Then the last game before the injury, I thought he played well. It's way too early to give a whole deal. If he plays 16 games like he did the first game, he would have an unbelievable year. If you're injured and can't come back and your availability becomes a factor, then you're going to be up and down."
