Anxious Jaguars Await Their Fate on Cutdown Day
By David Levin
Just like the Tom Petty song goes, the waiting is the hardest part for some members of the Jacksonville Jaguars as they await their fate as the team gets down to 53 players with roster cuts.
The Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff has some hard decisions to make. Who stays, who goes? Who earned another look on the practice squad? Which players may wind up on the injured reserve list with a chance to play later this season?
Head coach Doug Marrone said this was one of the weeks during the preseason he dislikes for good reason. He will determine the future of men who have given everything they had to help this organization.
That “everything” might not be good enough. The Jaguars must get down to 53 players on the active roster by Saturday afternoon.
Some already know their fate. Others are playing the waiting game, hoping to continue their dream of being an NFL player.
Per Mike Kaye of First Coast News, wide receiver Allen Lazard, running back Brandon Wilds and tight end David Grinnage already know they have been cut. There will be others throughout the day today, taking to social media after walking into Marrone’s office.
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There are others who will receive good news. Defensive back Tre Herndon was told he would be part of the team this year. Herndon, an undrafted free agent, played well when given the opportunity and should help the special teams unit under coach Joe DeCamillas.
As I have said before if you want to gauge how good a team is going to be, take a look at the players who do not make the roster and sign with other football teams. Wilds could be a solid player on a team needing a running back.
The same may be said for Lazard, who could wind up on the Jaguars practice squad if he is not signed somewhere else.
Rookie quarterback Tanner Lee looked good in the final preseason game against Atlanta, but was it enough to make the roster? Does he find himself on the team’s practice squad to allow him a chance to learn more and work on his technique?
The Jaguars must decide whether they keep four running backs or three with a fullback. Will there be four tight ends on the roster? How does the defensive line shake out where there is plenty fo depth and not enough spots to go around?
Marrone and his staff kept Jaydon Mickens on the sideline Thursday night, which meant he made the team this season. Both Shane Wynn and Rashad Greene played, taking turns with the return game. Do one or both players join the mix at wide receiver?
The #Jaguars have waived RB Brandon Wilds, per league source. He had 88 rushing yards last night and may receive interest on the waiver wire.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 31, 2018
With the news of Wilds being released today, does that mean Tim Cook will stay in Jacksonville? After rushing for two touchdowns Thursday night, he made have made a strong case to become a fourth running back in the team’s rotation.
The 6-foot, 240-pound back gives the team another bulldozer as part of its running game.