Tag: Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is tackled by Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (36) during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys reinforce offense for matchup vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys will aim for their fifth straight win on Sunday when they head to Jacksonville, Fla., to take on the Jaguars.

Dallas (10-3) still trails NFC East rival Philadelphia in the division standings for a top playoff seed, but the Cowboys are in the driver’s seat for a top wild card spot.

The Cowboys head into this matchup against the Jaguars (5-8) with some added firepower on offense, and someone who is very familiar with Jacksonville.

Dallas signed veteran wideout T.Y. Hilton on Monday to a deal for the remainder of the season.

Hilton spent 10 seasons with Jacksonville divisional rival Indianapolis, where he pulled in 631 catches for 9,691 yards and 53 touchdowns while making four Pro Bowl teams. Hilton hasn’t played this season. Last year, he caught 23 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

“The timing is right,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said this week. “He’s ready to go. He’s an excellent addition, especially at this time of year.”

Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore added: “As a veteran, he knows ball. He’s really, really smart. To have a guy like that, he’ll be able to handle the transition really, really well and provide some depth. We’ll see where all the roles transpire.”

And Dallas owner Jerry Jones said that the team has not ended its flirtation with another former star receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. He remains a free agent.

Dallas also signed defensive tackle Anthony Rush to its practice squad and claimed corner Trayvon Mullen off waivers from the Cardinals this week.

Despite the Cowboys’ record, they are 20th in the league in passing offense. They’ve been powered by the rushing duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, who have combined for 1,610 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Jaguars are coming in with some positivity though, having won their last time out, topping the Titans 36-22 on the road. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 30 of 42 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. He is ninth in the NFL in passing yards (3,202) this season and 10th in passing touchdowns (20).

“I would say he still has some room to grow, you know, and get better but he’s definitely taken steps in the right direction,” Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson said of Lawrence.

Lawrence was absent from Jaguars’ practice on Wednesday, nursing a sprained toe. He suffered the injury in a Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions, but still played last week against the Titans, putting forth one of his best passing performances of the season.

“If he can go, I’d rather him go than not. If Trevor can practice some, I definitely want to get him out there,” Pederson said.

Also absent from Jacksonville’s practice Wednesday were linebacker Travon Walker (ankle), corner Darious Williams (abdomen) and offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (abdomen).

Dallas on Wednesday put right tackle Terence Steele and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on injured reserve.

The Cowboys are 4-3 all-time against the Jaguars.

Also attracting attention in this game will be Dallas pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., who was drafted No. 3 overall by Jacksonville in 2015.

He played at Jacksonville last season as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and recorded a sack on Lawrence. Fowler has five sacks and seven QB hits this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence active vs. Titans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is active for Sunday’s game against the host Tennessee Titans.

Lawrence was listed as questionable after missing two days of practice with a toe injury sustained on the final play of the first half in last week’s 40-14 loss to the Detroit Lions. He returned to the game and finished with 179 yards passing and one touchdown to go along with four carries for 32 yards.

Lawrence, 23, has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,834 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions this season for the Jaguars (4-8).

He has 6,475 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 29 career games since being selected by the Jaguars with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The inactive players for the Jaguars in Week 14 were wide receiver Kendric Pryor, defensive lineman Corey Peters, defensive backs Andre Cisco and Tevaughn Campbell and linebackers De’Shaan Dixon and Chad Muma.

Inactives for the Titans (7-5) were running back Hassan Haskins, defensive lineman Denico Autry, linebacker Ola Adeniyi, cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Tre Avery and wide receivers Treylon Burks and C.J. Board.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) looks onto the field from the sideline during the thirds quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pa. Nfl Tennessee Titans At Philadelphia Eagles

GM’s firing underscores Titans’ urgency vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Owning a three-game lead in the AFC South with just five games left, the Tennessee Titans still pulled the trigger on a major move on Tuesday.

Owner Amy Adams Strunk canned general manager Jon Robinson, two days after watching wide receiver A.J. Brown, who Robinson traded in the offseason to Philadelphia, catch eight passes for 119 yards and two scores in the Eagles’ 35-10 rout of Tennessee.

The Titans try to pick up the pieces from that outcome and organizational upheaval Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are hoping to mount a late challenge to Tennessee in the division.

Fifth-year coach Mike Vrabel, whom Robinson hired in January 2018 after Strunk fired then-coach Mike Mularkey, will team with vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden to handle player moves for the season’s remainder.

“The message is the same as it’s always been — we’re charged to win,” Vrabel said Wednesday. “We’re here to win championships. We all have a job to do and we’re held to a high standard and we’re evaluated each and every day on that job.

“And it’s the same thing I told the football team and the players this morning.”

The Titans (7-5) have lost their last two games after going 7-1 in their previous eight games to take command in one of the league’s weakest divisions. They are the only team with a winning record in the AFC South.

As things presently stand, they would be the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs and in the first round would face Cincinnati, which knocked them out of the postseason back in January and defeated them in Week 12. With just one winning team left on Tennessee’s schedule, there’s an opportunity to improve its playoff positioning.

For that to happen, the Titans need to get Derrick Henry going. A two-time league rushing champ, Henry has been held under 100 yards in each of the last four weeks, including just 30 on 11 carries at Philadelphia.

“I pride myself on being a playmaker for this team and I feel like I haven’t really done that these last two weeks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville (4-8) has one shot to maneuver into some sort of contention. It either wins this week or it will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year since advancing to the AFC finals in 2017, when it held a fourth-quarter lead before losing in New England.

The Jaguars are coming off one of their worst games of the year, allowing points on Detroit’s first eight possessions last week in a 40-14 loss at Ford Field. The Lions carved up Jacksonville for 437 total yards and never punted, going 8-for-12 on third down.

“It was an ugly day for us, for sure,” said Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who went 17-for-31 for 179 yards and a touchdown in defeat.

And Lawrence didn’t go unscathed, leaving the game after his left leg was twisted during a sack. Lawrence didn’t practice Wednesday with a sprained toe and there’s a chance backup C.J. Beathard may have to play in his place this week.

“He’s been in these situations before in his career so it’s not unfamiliar territory to him,” said Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson of Beathard.

–Field Level Media

Aug 8, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Elliott Fry (8) watches from the bench in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jaguars signing K Elliott Fry

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars are signing Elliott Fry after working out four kickers on Friday, NFL Network reported.

Fry, 27, appeared in three games with three different teams (Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs) over the past two seasons.

For his NFL career, he has made five of six field-goal attempts (with a long of 44 yards) and five of seven extra points.

Third-year veteran Ryan Santoso and undrafted rookie Andrew Mevis have been competing for the No. 1 kicker job throughout the offseason.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Adam Gotsis (96) during an NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jaguars defeated the Dolphins 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars re-sign veteran DL Adam Gotsis

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced the re-signing of defensive lineman Adam Gotsis on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed.

Gotsis, 29, started four of his 16 games with the Jaguars last season and registered 27 tackles, seven quarterback hits and three sacks.

He has 173 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 89 games (46 starts) with the Denver Broncos (2016-19) and Jaguars.

The Broncos drafted the Australia native in the second round out of Georgia Tech in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Carlos Hyde (24) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Jaguars releasing RB Carlos Hyde

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars are releasing veteran running back Carlos Hyde, multiple outlets reported Friday.

Hyde, 31, is entering the second season of a two-year, $4.5 million contract he signed in March 2021.

The Jaguars will clear more than $1.9 million in salary cap space with the move, according to Spotrac.

Hyde appeared in 12 games (two starts) with Jacksonville in 2021, rushing for 253 yards and one touchdown and catching 12 passes for 65 yards.

A second-round pick by San Francisco in 2014, Hyde has gained 5,846 yards from scrimmage with 40 touchdowns in 102 games (60 starts) with the 49ers, Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman looks on prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jags interview Rick Spielman for front-office job

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars met with longtime Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman in person Monday about a “high-level front office position,” NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The specific nature of the role is unclear. The Jaguars already have a general manager, Trent Baalke, and are in the process of hiring a head coach to replace Urban Meyer.

Spielman, 59, was fired at the end of the 2021 season. He had been with the Vikings since 2006 and had served as general manager since 2012.

Before joining Minnesota, Spielman worked with the Miami Dolphins from 2000-04, including as general manager in his final season. He was the Chicago Bears’ director of pro personnel from 2000-01.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars finish in style as Colts miss out on playoffs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trevor Lawrence capped a rocky rookie season with 223 yards passing and two touchdowns Sunday as the Jacksonville Jaguars earned a 26-11 upset victory over the visiting Indianapolis Colts, who were eliminated from playoff contention.

The Colts still were alive for playoff consideration after the defeat but those hopes ended when the Pittsburgh Steelers earned a 16-13 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Lawrence completed 23 of 32 passes, including a 3-yard strike to a leaping Marvin Jones in the back right corner of the end zone with 3:08 left in the third quarter. Lawrence jumped to rescue a high snap and then avoided blitzing safety Khari Willis to make the game-breaking play.

Jones caught seven passes for 88 yards as Jacksonville (3-14) snapped an eight-game losing streak and gave interim coach Darrell Bevill his first win after replacing Urban Meyer last month.

The Colts’ Carson Wentz hit 17 of 29 passes for 185 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Pittman with 4:26 left in the game. But that was much too little, much too late for Indianapolis, who would have advanced to the playoffs with a win or a tie.

NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor had 77 yards on 15 attempts but was stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-goal at the 1 early in the fourth quarter with the Colts trailing 23-3. He finished the regular season with 1,811 yards rushing.

Jacksonville put its stamp on the game immediately, driving 75 yards in 12 plays with its first possession of the game. Lawrence drilled a 2-yard touchdown pass to Laquon Treadwell at the 7:48 mark of the first quarter.

The Jaguars didn’t let Taylor get going in first half, limiting him to 18 yards. They also mounted a consistent pass rush that kept Wentz from finding a rhythm in the passing game. Indianapolis’ only points until late came on Michael Badgley’s 41-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the half.

Jacksonville made it 13-3 before halftime on 22- and 20-yard field goals from Matthew Wright, both after 11-play, 71-yard drives. The latter came one play after Laviska Shenault dropped a potential touchdown pass with two seconds left.

Lawrence finished the first half 19 of 25 for 208 yards.

–Field Level Media

New offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien watches quarterback Bryce Young take a snap during practice. The Alabama Crimson Tide opened practice for the 2021 season as they prepare to defend the 2020 National Championship Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] Alabama First Practice

Reports: Jaguars to interview Bill O’Brien next week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing in former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien for an interview next week, multiple outlets reported Friday.

O’Brien, 52, led the Texans to a 52-48 record and four playoff appearances during his seven-year tenure (2014-20). He was fired after an 0-4 start to the 2020 campaign.

He is currently the offensive coordinator at Alabama and will coach in Monday night’s national championship game against Georgia.

The Jaguars are seeking a replacement for Urban Meyer, who was fired last month due to a disappointing season on the field and a series of embarrassing incidents off of it.

Doug Pederson, Jim Caldwell and Todd Bowles have reportedly already interviewed with Jacksonville. Others said to be under consideration include NFL offensive coordinators Kellen Moore (Dallas Cowboys), Nathaniel Hackett (Green Bay Packers) and Byron Leftwich (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) attempts a pass against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Promising QBs search for more when Jaguars, Jets meet

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets selected Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson with the respective Nos. 1 and 2 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The two struggling quarterbacks will look to get on track at the other’s expense on Sunday when the Jaguars visit the Jets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Sunday’s game marks just the fourth time in NFL history that the No. 1 and 2 selections in the draft will meet as starting quarterbacks in their rookie seasons. The last such time came in 2015, when Jameis Winston led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans.

Whether Robert Saleh will be available to see Lawrence vs. Wilson is in question, however, after New York’s head coach tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Should Saleh fail to be cleared to return, tight ends coach Ron Middleton — who guided the team through practice on Wednesday — will handle the head coaching responsibilities on Sunday.

Lawrence and Wilson have yet to pay significant early dividends for their respective teams as those clubs are again in the running for the top pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jaguars (2-12) are slightly “ahead” of the Detroit Lions (2-11-1) for the top pick, while the Jets (3-11) are in the mix.

Lawrence has thrown just one touchdown pass in the last seven games, a stretch in which Jacksonville has posted a 1-6 record after mustering just 73 combined points.

“I hate seeing that because that means we’re not scoring a lot of points,” said Lawrence, who has seen his team average a league-worst 14.0 points per game.

“It would be different if we were scoring points but in the run game or whatever it is, but still able to win games. That’s fine. It’s my job to try to win games, but when you see that and you’re not scoring points, it kinda goes hand-in-hand. It’s disappointing.”

James Robinson boosted his rushing touchdown total to eight after finding the end zone in Jacksonville’s 30-16 loss to the Houston Texans last Sunday. He is the fourth undrafted player in the common-draft era with at least 15 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons.

Jacksonville activated Ryquell Armstead off Green Bay’s practice squad, with fellow running back Carlos Hyde (concussion) placed on injured reserve.

Jaguars tight end Dan Arnold could make an impact on Sunday after being placed on the designated to return list from injured reserve Wednesday. The trusted target of Lawrence had 28 catches for 324 yards before suffering an MCL sprain against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 28.

“He’s a great talent for us. He’s got a lot of speed and I think it presents a problem for the defense,” interim coach Darrell Bevell said. “But you know, we’ll just see how far he can come in the next few days.”

While Wilson has yet to blossom, he rushed for a touchdown for the third time in four games during New York’s 31-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday.

That scoring output represented a boon for the Jets, who are averaging the league’s sixth-worst total of 17.9 points per contest.

Already without rookie Elijah Moore (team-leading 538 yards, five receiving touchdowns) and Corey Davis, the Jets could be down another wideout with Jamison Crowder (club-best 50 catches) failing to practice on Wednesday due to a calf injury.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley (back), defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins (knee), cornerback Bryce Hall (illness, non-COVID-19) and safety Elijah Riley (concussion) also didn’t practice on Wednesday.

As the team awaits word on Saleh, Middleton insisted that it will be business as usual as the club attempts to snap its third three-game losing streak of the season.

“I’m strictly team,” Middleton said. “There’s no selfish or personal deal in it at all. It’s strictly team, whatever I can do to help beat the Jaguars on Sunday.”

Linebacker Myles Jack (knee), who leads Jacksonville with 97 tackles, was one of seven Jaguars players who did not practice on Wednesday. Robinson (knee) and defensive end/linebacker Josh Allen (shoulder) were limited.

–Field Level Media