The NFL is tightening its COVID-19 protocols ahead of the 2021 season. So far, five players have been placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list and four of them play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s uncertain if they were exposed to the virus or tested positive, but this is a situation the organization should definitely monitor moving forward.
Second-year quarterback Jake Luton was one of the other players that landed on the COVID-19 list. The other three were cornerbacks Luq Barcoo, C.J. Henderson, and Chris Claybrooks. While it’s never pleasant to know they will be out, the Jags can withstand their absence due to all the additions they made to their cornerback group this offseason.
Last season, injuries hit Jacksonville’s cornerback group hard, and their top three players — DJ Hayden, Sidney Jones, and Henderson — missed several games. They didn’t have much depth, and teams weren’t afraid to test a Jaguars secondary that finished 27th in points allowed.
Earlier this year, head coach Urban Meyer acknowledge the team needed to revamp the secondary. The Jags did precisely that and signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency. They also brought back Sidney Jones and Tre Herndon. Then, they took Tyson Campbell in Round 2 of this year’s draft.
It’s uncertain how much time Barcoo, Henderson, and Claybrooks will be miss. Vaccinated players can return to practice after testing negative in two consecutive days while those who aren’t vaccinated will be on a ten-day isolation period. However, the Jaguars’ cornerback unit is currently in good shape. Here’s how the group looks ahead of training camp.
Depth at cornerback won’t be an issue for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here are all the cornerbacks on the Jaguars’ roster, as listed by the team’s official website.
- Tyson Campbell
- DJ Daniel
- Shaquill Griffin
- Tre Herndon
- Jameson Houston
- Sidney Jones
- Brandon Rusnak
- Cory Straughter
- Luq Barcoo
- C.J. Henderson
- Chris Claybrooks
This is a pretty young group. Only Shaquill Griffin and Brandon Rusnak are over 25. The Jaguars acquired most of their cornerbacks during the last two years. They signed DJ Daniel and Corey Straughter after going undrafted. They also traded for Jameson Houston in May but the Baylor product may have a hard time making the team. Daniel, Straughter, or Houston could end up on the practice squad if they can show in training camp that they can play special teams.
Last season, Luc Barcoo was thrust into action because the coaching staff didn’t have anybody else to turn to. This year, he may have a hard time standing out in a crowded group. The same is true for Brandon Rusnak. An undrafted free agent in 2019, he has mainly seen time on special teams and hasn’t posted a pass defensed nor an interception during his two-year tenure in Jacksonville.
Last season, Chris Claybrooks, along with Keelan Cole and Nathan Cottrell, handled return duties. The Memphis product returned a team-high 13 kicks for 289 yards. The Jaguars signed wide receiver Jamal Agnew in free agency to give their return game this year. It will be interesting to see how much time Claybrooks will spend as a returner. The 2020 seventh-round pick also played 33 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, so even if his usage on special teams goes down, he could still contribute on defense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback unit has plenty of upside.
Here’s how the Jaguars’ cornerback unit could look in Week 1:
- CJ Henderson
- Shaquill Griffin
- Sidney Jones
- Tre Herndon
- Tyson Campbell
- Chris Claybrooks
The selection of Tyson Campbell in this year’s draft might have raised a few eyebrows. The Georgia product was one of the top cornerback prospects in the class but the Jags had already signed Shaquill Griffin and re-signed Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones. On the bright side, the coaching staff may not have to rush the former Bulldog if it isn’t ready and can bring him along slowly as they have depth at the position.
C.J. Henderson (whenever he’s cleared to return) will most likely start opposite Shaquill Griffin, the Jags’ biggest offseason acquisition. He signed a three-year deal worth $40 million in free agency. The former Seattle Seahawks cornerback made the Pro Bowl in 2019 and is expected to stabilize the secondary. On the other hand, Henderson showed promise in 2020 but a groin injury cut his rookie campaign short. He underwent labrum surgery earlier this year but is doing well, according to head coach Urban Meyer.
Tre Herndon will most likely line up in the slot but Sidney Jones could also play there if needed. The Washington product enjoyed a career revival last year after being a non-factor with the Philadelphia Eagles the previous three seasons. If he manages to stay healthy in 2021, he could earn a big role on defense once.
The Jaguars’ cornerback depth chart looks pretty much set ahead of training camp. All in all, the Jags did a good job of fortifying the unit this offseason and it’s noticeable. The group has the potential to become a strength.