Jacksonville Jaguars (5–3) at Houston Texans (3–5); Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a number of players dealing with injuries heading into Week 10. This week presents a crucial matchup for the Jaguars as they take on their division rivals. A win for Jacksonville makes their playoff chances far higher, and will practically kill any hope for Houston to make the playoffs barring a miracle. A win for Houston would help them stay in the hunt while setting back Jacksonville considerably.
Below are the latest updates on every player listed on Jacksonville’s Week 10 injury report.
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Ankle
Thomas did not practice at any point this week and will not be available for Sunday. His absence removes one of the Jaguars primary receiving weapons and leaves the team without their top two receivers in a critical matchup.
Without either Thomas or Travis Hunter, newly acquired Jakobi Meyers will be forced to take on a lead role immediately. Meyers and Parker Washington will be critical to the Jaguars success in the passing game.
WR Dyami Brown
Concussion
Brown progressed from limited to full participation this week and is active for Sunday. His speed and ability to stretch the field provide an important vertical option for the offense that will be without Thomas Jr.
Brown’s presence helps balance the receiving corps that is lacking their top two receivers. Brown will see significant snaps opposite of Washington outside.
WR Tim Patrick
Groin
Patrick practiced fully throughout the week and is active after missing last week against Las Vegas. He adds a strong red zone threat and veteran experience to the Jaguars wide receiver group.
Getting Patrick back is a big time addition considering the plethora of injuries the room has suffered.
TE Hunter Long
Hip/Knee
Long missed the entire week of practice and will not be available for Sunday. His absence is a massive loss for Jacksonville as they are still missing their top tight end in Brenton Strange.
The Jaguars missing their top two players at the position will be forced to rely on Johnny Mundt as the lead tight end. Expect the team to run plenty of sets with an extra lineman, two running backs, or four receivers.
TE Quintin Morris
Groin
Morris practiced fully all week and is active. After missing last week against Las Vegas, Morris’ return is crucial as one of only two healthy tight ends on the roster.
He provides important depth at tight end, and could see a considerable amount of snaps with Strange and Long sidelined.
OL Ezra Cleveland
Knee/Ankle
Cleveland missed the entire week and will not be available. His absence is a critical loss for the Jaguars as he’s been one of their most consistent lineman on the team. According to PFSN’s OL Impact Rankings, Cleveland is the highest rated guard on the Jaguars with a grade of 78.1.
The Jaguars will lean on Cole Van Lanen to take over at left guard, as he did last week when Cleveland went down. With lack of talent at tight end and one of the team’s top blockers sidelined, Chuma Edoga will most likely see plenty of action as a 6th lineman.
OL Patrick Mekari
Back
Mekari returned late in the week after missing early sessions and is active for Sunday. His ability to play multiple positions on the line adds flexibility for the Jaguars offensive schemes, though he is expected to continue as the starting right guard.
Mekari’s versatility allows for in-game adjustments if any additional injuries occur along the line or someone is significantly struggling.
OL Wyatt Milum
Knee
Milum progressed from limited to full participation this week and is active. The rookie has seen no play on the offensive line yet after being selected in the third round due to injuries, but he may finally get an opportunity as he is healthy while Cleveland is not.
Whether he sees significant snaps or not, Milum’s return provides great insurance to an interior line that has dealt with multiple injuries throughout this year.
LB Devin Lloyd
Calf
Lloyd practiced fully all week and is active. Lloyd getting back on the field is a massive gain to the Jaguars defense as the star linebacker looks to get back on pace as a defensive player of the year candidate.
The Jaguars are dealing with plenty of injuries throughout the secondary, but getting the center of their defense back in action gives the Jaguars a big boost in what will be a scrappy matchup.
LB Dennis Gardeck
Chest
Gardeck was limited in practice, but is active for Sunday. Having both Gardeck and Lloyd available provides the Jaguars with an entirely healthy group of starters at the position
He won’t see as much playing time as he was during the time that Lloyd has been sidelined, but Gardeck is still a strong contributor for the team.
LB Jack Kiser
Quadricep
Kiser progressed to full participation, but his game status is unspecified. He will likely be a game time decision, and could end up being a healthy scratch.
READ MORE:Â Do the Jacksonville Jaguars Have the Best Special Teams Unit in the NFL?
If Kiser does see the field he will be a good addition to the Jaguars special teams unit, but he isn’t a crucial loss if sidelined.
DT DaVon Hamilton
Back
Hamilton moved from limited to full participation and is active. Having their big nose tackle available to clog up the run game is a big plus for the Jaguars in this tough matchup.
Hamilton’s looking to build off of last week, in which he made the game winning play by swatting down Geno Smith’s 2-point conversion throw that would have won the Raiders the game in overtime if completed.
CB Jourdan Lewis
Neck
Lewis did not practice this week and will not be available for Sunday. This is a critical loss for the Jaguars secondary which is already dealing with major injuries in Hunter and safety Eric Murray.
The Jaguars will be without their starting inside corner and down a captain of their team during the division rival matchup. The cornerback rotation will most likely be Greg Newsome II and Montaric Brown starting as the outside corners, with Jarrian Jones taking over the slot in place of Lewis.
