Depending on whom you ask, the Jacksonville Jaguars may or may not have been desperate for a victory. But after several tries, they finally did it, they won their first game of the season when they beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 6.
The Jags won despite the fact that several key contributors were out for the game, including guard A.J. Cann, linebacker Myles Jack, and cornerback Tyson Campbell. Then again, the Phins’ were also missing cornerbacks Xavien Howard, and Byron Jones, and wide receiver DeVante Parker. Having said that, injuries are an inherent part of football and the best teams prepare for them and overcome them. That’s what Jacksonville did.
The Jaguars will have time to rest, as their BYE will come in Week 7. They will have the chance to heal and should get a few contributor backs for their game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
Head coach Urban Meyer met with the local media Monday and shared a few injury updates. He says Campbell and Jack will return after missing the game in London. Offensive guard Ben Bartch exited last week’s game with a concussion but should also be back. On the other hand, center Brandon Linder and guard A.J. Cann will be out a bit longer.
The Jaguars were relatively healthy early this season but injuries have increased in recent weeks. To their credit, they have gotten around them and haven’t skipped a beat. Here are more observations from Meyer’s sitdown with the local media and the Jags’ most recent win.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line has held its own in 2021.
The Jaguars’ offensive line is far from elite. However, they have done a good job of protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence this season. Sure, having a signal-caller that can feel the pass rush and buy himself some time helps. On the other hand, the unit has been even though they are missing two starters.
Right guard A.J. Cann went down against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. Center Brandon Linder was carted off the field after suffering a knee injury the following game. If that wasn’t enough, second-year offensive guard Ben Bartch exited the Dolphins’ matchup with a concussion. Nevertheless, the offensive line still did a good job of protecting Trevor Lawrence for most of the game. They did allow two sacks but they were near the end of the game.
In particular, Meyer had praise for Tyler Shatley, who started in Linder’s place, and Will Richardson, who joined the lineup after Bartch left.
"Everybody loves the guy [Shatley]. He’s a guy that is not that big a dropoff from Brandon. Obviously, Brandon’s our starter but Shat played pretty good. The other guy is arguably the most improved player on the team. One of them is Will Richardson, and he’s a swing tackle, swing guard, now and to go into that kind of game where they were playing bare defensive and blitzing. They pressured, that was the most pressure we’ve seen all year."
Shatley played every single offensive snap in Week 6 and posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 57.6. Meanwhile, Richardson appeared in 42 offensive snaps and earned a PFF overall grade of 50.0.
Now, nobody will confuse Jacksonville’s offensive line with the Washington Football Team’s famous Hogs but they have performed up to their talent level. In six games, Lawrence has been sacked ten times, eight of them in the last four games. At this pace, they’re going to give up around 30 this season, which would be an improvement over last year when they allowed 44.
It will be interesting to see if the group improves as the season progresses. Left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Andrew Norwell, and A.J. Cann is set to become free agents next offseason. They’re currently trying to put as much good tape as they can in order to get the best possible contract in 2022.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2021 rookie class is coming along slowly.
The Jaguars acquired several key contributors in free agency. However, their draft class has underperformed, quarterback Trevor Lawrence notwithstanding. Other than the former Clemson Tiger, no other rookie has made a meaningful impact this season. Cornerback Tyson Campbell played a lot before missing the last two games but he wasn’t particularly effective.
Jacksonville’s other 2021 second-round pick, Walker Little was inactive in the first two weeks of the season and hasn’t played a single snap on offense. Meanwhile, safety Andre Cisco has seen his playing time decrease in recent weeks and has been mostly relegated to special teams. Jay Tufele made his NFL debut in Week 5 but suffered a hand injury during warmups just before the game in London.
Meyer spoke about the strides the Jaguars’ 2021 draft class has made.
"Cisco’s getting very close, he’d be the next one. Walker Little, it just takes a little bit of time but we’re really happy with him. He’s going to be a good player in the NFL, George [Warhop] loves him. Obviously, Travis Etienne, Tyson Campbell is the starting quarter for us. Jay Tufele, the reason we activated him, he really was coming on and then he gets hurt. And then Jordan Smith is still working progress right now. Luke Farrell, he’s what we thought, maybe a little better."
Tight end Luke Farrell had a 21-yard reception in Week 6 but has otherwise been quiet in 2021, catching five receptions for 46 yards. Then again, expecting a fifth-round pick to become an All-Pro in his first year in the NFL would be unrealistic. On the other hand, edge rusher Jordan Smith may have a hard time earning playing time in the Jaguars’ defensive line rotation this season. He’s been inactive all season long. It’s clear he’s not ready yet.
Maybe they all need more time to develop. Some of them need to get healthier but their impact or lack thereof is one of several reasons why Jacksonville has managed to win just one game this season.