JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Minnesota Vikings in a 2024 Week 10 game at EverBank Stadium.
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
- Quick change. You're deep until you're not in the NFL, which is why midseason trades carry an amount of risk. Witness the Jaguars' offensive line, which went from being one of the team's deepest areas – and a team strength – during the early season to suddenly an area of major concern entering the second half of the season. There was a feeling during the season's first two months that the offensive line went at least seven and maybe eight strong with left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Mitch Morse, right guard Brandon Scherffand right tackle Anton Harrison starting – and with left tackle Walker Little and guard Cooper Hodges available as reserves along with former starter Luke Fortneravailable as a backup center. The Jaguars last week traded Robinson. Cleveland could miss another week with an ankle sprain, and the team placed Hodges on injured reserve this week with what is expected to be a season-ending leg injury. Enter Cole Van Lanen and Blake Hance, who likely will start for Cleveland Sunday. It's time to test the depth knowing that what once qualified as a deep, cohesive unit suddenly is a thin one without continuity.
- Same story, new week. The themes around the Jaguars by necessity are familiar ones these days, with the idea of playing for pride and professionalism now several weeks old. That might seem a tad tedious and tired – and perhaps it is – but it's what this team has now – and that pride and professionalism is sure to be tested. The Jaguars have played valiantly in recent weeks, pushing NFC playoff contenders Philadelphia and Green Bay to final minutes before losing. The losses were the Jaguars' fourth and fifth of the season in the final minutes. That in a sense indicates a team that could easily by over .500 instead of 2-7 – but it also indicates that the Jaguars are better at finding ways to lose than finding ways to win. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram on Monday assured reporters that the team absolutely will not quit, but players on struggling teams can fall victim to playing outside the game plan and having games slide away based on misguided effort. The challenge in the coming weeks for the Jaguars is avoiding such circumstances and continuing to play as they have the last two weeks – with more favorable results.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…
- What else can go wrong? The Jaguars season was already off the rails, but the injury to quarterback Trevor Lawrence makes it feel worse. Maybe it's just the bad memories from the final two months of last season when wide receiver Christian Kirk was sidelined and Lawrence was fighting a long list of maladies, but it feels worse this morning because there were some elements of the offense that were evolving – rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., tight end Brenton Strange and running back Tank Bigsby. I was looking forward to watching their development even in a season with an expiration date next January. I don't know the extent of Lawrence's injury but if they're bringing C.J. Beathard back, you have to at least consider they're looking out for the long-term health of their franchise quarterback in a season that isn't going anywhere. That's the smart play. I'm left to wonder if and hope that backup quarterback Mac Jones can take advantage of whatever time he gets, and that those exciting young players continue to develop and improve.
- Big-time duo. Defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker were great last Sunday and need to be again this Sunday. They were the best players on the field for the Jaguars' defense in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles – and not just rushing the passer. Walker had six tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage. He is on the verge of taking his game to another level; you can just feel it watching the way he attacks. Hines-Allen looked like the game-wrecking player we saw a lot of last year. They weren't alone, with defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton a force inside. Linebacker Ventrell Miller is really good and getting better, and safety Andrew Wingard's return should help in the middle of the secondary. They're not going to look like the 2017 Jaguars this season, but they can play good enough to keep games close and break serve late in the game – as they did last Sunday. But only as long as Walker and Hines-Allen are blowing things up at the line of scrimmage.
Alternate helmet week ⚪ Jaguars prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings at home in EverBank Stadium in their Shell White Alternate Helmets which they will be wearing on Sunday!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) and tight end Evan Engram (17) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) and cornerback Montaric Brown (30) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) meets Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) and long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Shawn Bowman (49) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little (72) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) and long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Dennis Daley (78) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Dennis Daley (78) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...
- Sit this one out. The Jaguars did not make any trade deadline acquisitions, but they did make an addition to their quarterback room Wednesday when they signed Beathard off Miami's practice squad. Beathard will serve as a third-string insurance policy after Lawrence was banged up in the game against the Eagles. After seeing Lawrence play through myriad injuries last season with limited practice time, I'm thinking Lawrence should sit on Sunday. Jones is more than capable of making the start and that's why he was brought here in the first place.
- Shift change. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has remained loyal to his process this season of switching and subbing out players continuously. Halfway through the season, the Jaguars defense is ranked amongst the worst in the league and on Sunday they will face one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league, Justin Jefferson. Veteran cornerback Ronald Darby has struggled this year in his 10th NFL season. I'm hoping to see some more of Montaric Brown in the secondary this week. Brown played on 23 percent of the defensive snaps. Sitting at 2-7, now is the time for the Jags to figure out what their younger players are capable of and what their futures could be in Jacksonville.
