Final Jaguars injury report for Week 7 offers optimism for Tyson Campbell
The Jacksonville Jaguars have struggled to stop opponents from scoring this season, but their defense could get a much-needed boost when they face the New England Patriots in Week 7.
Head coach Doug Pederson met with the local media Friday and said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN, that cornerback Tyson Campbell is trending toward playing. Barring a setback, the former Georgia Bulldog will suit up for the first time this season since Week 1.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson on CB Tyson Campbell (coming off IR) playing vs. Patriots: " ... barring any setbacks he should be cleared and good for the game." Will make final decision on that on Saturday. RB Travis Etienne (hamstring) will be a game-day decision.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) October 18, 2024
Campbell suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 and promptly landed on the Injured Reserve list. The team opened his 21-window for practice ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears. He popped on the injury report heading into the game as a limited participant but was ultimately ruled out.
On a related note, running back Travis Etienne will be a game-time decision. He's dealing with a shoulder injury. The former Clemson Tiger hasn't missed a game this season but has been phased out in favor of sophomore sensation Tank Bigsby, who's averaged 7.2 yards per tote.
Campbell and Bigsby are the only Jaguars players who got the questionable designation in the final injury report for the Week 7 game.
#NEvsJAX Status Report pic.twitter.com/Y188M32lJ8
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 18, 2024
Defensive end Arik Armstead (shoulder), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), right tackle Anton Harrison, (knee), and Evan Engram (shoulder) also appear on the injury report ahead of the game but all of them are good to go.
On a related note, the Jaguars expected safety Tashaun Gipson to be reinstated after missing six games for violations of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. However, the NFL hasn't lifted the suspension, so they'll need to wait for reinforcements at the safety position.
On the opposite sideline, the Patriots have ruled out Vederian Lowe. Quarterback Drake Maye made an appearance on the injury report Wednesday with a knee injury, but several reporters said that it wasn't a reason for concern. Since then, there haven't been any updates, so it looks like the rookie quarterback is good to go and will make his second NFL start.
Tyson Campbell increases the Jaguars' odds of beating the Patriots in Week 7
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a 5.5-point favorite for the game and are as healthy as they can be for the contest against the New England Patriots. This is to say that they have no excuse to lose the game. Having Tyson Campbell back in the fold will certainly help.
Heading into Week 7, the Jags' secondary ranks dead last in both passing touchdowns surrendered and total yards. Campbell won't suddenly solve all the issues but he'll at least bring stability to a unit that is in need of it.
With Campbell back in the fold, veteran Ronald Darby will take a backseat. Doug Pederson said as much ahead of Week 7.
A second-round pick in the 2015 draft, the former Florida State Seminole signed with the Jags earlier this year. So far, he's given up 78.8 percent of his throws for 355 yards with three touchdowns. Third-year pro Montaric Brown will tentatively start opposite Campbell, and Darnell Savage will man the slot.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars' season is hanging by a thread, and they must beat the Patriots if they want to avoid catastrophe.
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