Jaguars face major issues at linebacker versus the Jets

The Jacksonville Jaguars will not have four linebackers available when the team faces the New York Jets on Sunday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars face a New York Jets team that is last in the NFL in passing offense and 30th in running the football.

Let’s hope the sudden injuries to the Jaguars linebackers aren’t a magic elixir that allows their opponent to move the football at will on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field. Head coach Doug Marrone confirmed the team would be without Quincy Williams, Najee Goode and Leon Jacobs on Sunday, which puts a huge gash in the unit since it was announced that D.J. Alexander has been placed on injured reserve this week.

"“We’re going through it right now. It’s either going to be Austin [Calitro] or Malcolm [Smith]. We’re still working through that, just want to make sure we feel comfortable and everyone knows what they’re doing,” Marrone said. “We feel comfortable [if] it’ll be Austin, we may split it. We’re still talking about it. We split the reps today, so just want to see where everybody is, really not sure right now.”"

Malcolm Smith and Donald Payne were signed this week to provide depth at the position. Add the news that Marcell Dareus has been placed on the injured reserve list because of a core muscle injury and the middle of the Jaguars defense could be in for a long day on Sunday.

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"Per ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco, “Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said on Wednesday that Dareus was in Philadelphia to receive treatment from noted sports hernia specialist Dr. William Meyers. Dareus was injured during the Jaguars’ victory over Cincinnati last Sunday.”"

For the season, Dareus has 13 tackles (one for loss) and a half-sack in six games. He did miss the season opener because of an elbow injury.

The Jaguars signed Akeem Spence to replace Dareus on the roster. He is someone Marrone is familiar with.

"“I watched him play last week, he played 53 plays [with] Philly,” he explained. “So, I have a little bit of background with him, I recruited him when I was at Syracuse and I’ve seen him play, so we’ll see if we’re going to be able to use him or not.”"

The Jaguars also figure to use Taven Bryan and Abry Jones inside with Calais Campbell at the other defensive tackle spot.

"“I think his snaps have been going up for the week, so I think he’s been doing a good job,” Marrone said when asked about what he thought of Bryan’s progress this season.“I think it’s one of those things, you increase the snaps and see if we can still get the same type of production. And I think it’s a challenge for him to show that he can still get even more production as the snaps go up, and that would be great.”"