Jacksonville Jaguars LB Josh Allen feeling better ahead of Texans game

The Jacksonville Jaguars need Josh Allen to get back to his dominant self.

One of the most pleasant surprises for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 was the rise of edge defender Josh Allen. Sure, quarterback Gardner Minshew II started a movement and won six of the 12 games he started, but the Kentucky standout infused an element of toughness to the ‘Jags’ defense.

All in all, Allen played in all 16 games last season and started four of them. He ended the year with two forced fumbles, 10-5 sacks, 44 total tackles, and 28 quarterback hits. Heading into 2020, the former Wildcats linebacker seemed poised to have an even better campaign than the one he had in 2019. However, he has been hampered by the injury bug and his play has taken a hit.

So far, Allen has played in five of seven possible games and has registered ten total tackles, two sacks, and eight quarterback hits. That’s not the kind of production the ‘Jags’ surely expected from the sophomore, but it’s understandable when we take into account that his knee injury has hindered his development in Year 2.

Josh Allen should be able to help the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9.

In his favor, Allen was able to rest during the team’s Bye Week and should return to form soon. He told the local media in a recent sitdown that he was already feeling good in the Jaguars Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers he is feeling even better. If that’s true, we may see flashes or even a whole showing of the pass-rushing prowess he displayed in his rookie year.

In the same session, ’41’ talked about teammate Davon Hamilton and how much of a difference his presence makes at the line of scrimmage. He said the Ohio State product is progressing each week and he’s the kind of playmaker the Jaguars defense needs upfront. Allen added he hopes the rookie defensive tackle can play the way he did against the ‘Bolts’, where he had eight total tackles and was on the ball all game long.

If Allen plays the way he did in 2019 and Hamilton repeats his Week 7 performance, the Jaguars defense will definitely have a chance at making a stand against the Texans offense and earn the team’s second win of the year.