The Jacksonville Jaguars will be playing their last game of the year against the Tennessee Titans. Sure, they'll face the Indianapolis Colts in the finale, but that will be played in January. Even though neither team doesn't have much to play for after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Jags are looking to finish strong.
Quarterback Mac Jones, in particular, believes that having a chance to play in the NFL is enough of a reason to give your best.
"We're trying to win them all, and it hasn't gone our way this year, but we do have a great opportunity this weekend," Jones told the local media when he was told the Jags could finish with a winning record in the division. "If you're a competitor, and you get a chance to play in the NFL, you're going to go out there and play your heart out. So that's how I view it."
Jones continued, "I know the guys on our team are feeling the same way. Obviously, it's a circumstance we may not want to be in, but you got to do it as a challenge, and take it one play at a time, like I always say, and go out there and put good stuff on tape. Somebody's watching."
His mindset makes sense when you take into account that Jones is set to become a free agent. And given how he's played for the Jags, he would most definitely benefit from a strong outing against the Titans. Working against him is the fact that Jacksonville will be without a couple of starters.
Left tackle Walker Little has been ruled out for the divisional bout and will likely sit out the finale. Fourth-year pro Cole Van Lanen will be filling in for him. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16, the former Wisconsin Badger appeared on 62 snaps and gave up just one total pressure. Like Jones, he's scheduled to hit the open market in 2025, so he'll have a chance to boost his stock.
Aside from Little, safety Darnell Savage will miss the Week 17. He suffered a concussion in the Raiders game and remains in protocol. Andrew Wingard will step in his place. Linebacker Ventrell Miller will also be watching from the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury.
For the second straight week, Jacksonville didn't promote any players from the practice squad. They did sign linebacker Joe Giles-Harris during the week but that's the only meaningful move they made ahead of the game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed LB Joe Giles-Harris to the active roster, the team announced today.
— JaguarsPR (@JaguarsPR) December 24, 2024
On the opposite sideline, the Titans have already ruled out running back Tony Pollard, offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, kicker Nick Folk, linebacker Ottis Reese, safety Amani Hooker, and wide receiver Colton Dowell.
Pollard and Hooker were originally listed as questionable but were downgraded to out one day prior to the bout.
Jaguars inactive for Week 17
Here are the Jaguars inactives for today's game:
• Darnell Savage, S
• Ventrell Miller, LB
• Walker Little, LT
• Esezi Otomewo, DT
• Tyler Lacy, DT
The following players will be inactive for the Jaguars in today’s game:
— JaguarsPR (@JaguarsPR) December 29, 2024
6 S Darnell Savage
51 LB Ventrell Miller
72 OL Walker Little
90 DT Esezi Otomewo
93 DT Tyler Lacy
Titans inactives for Week 17
• Nick Folk, K
• Nicholas, Petit-Frere
• Dillon Radunz, OL
• Otis Reese, LB
• Amani Hooker, S
• Tony Pollard, RB
• Jha'quan Jackson
Titans #TENvsJAX Inactives pic.twitter.com/DgISs6S69V
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 29, 2024