The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting reinforcements for the final stretch of the season. Just one week after getting tight end Brenton Strange back, the team is preparing for safety Eric Murray's return from Injured Reserve.
The Jags announced that they're opening Murray's 21-day window to return to practice, meaning that they expect him to be back in the fold soon. On a related note, the team also signed safety Trevian Thomas to the practice squad.
The Jaguars are getting Eric Murray back, signed Trevian Thomas
Eric Murray suffered a neck injury during the loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In the aftermath of the game, the Jaguars stashed him, along with Travis Hunter, on Injured Reserve. Players whose window to return to practice is opened must return to practice within 21 days, or else remain on IR the rest of the season.
If Jacksonville activated Murray's window, it's because he'll soon return to the active roster. He's still on IR but can practice with the rest of the team. Couple that with Trevian Thomas' arrival, and the safety room looks in much better shape.
Thomas signed with the Carolina Panthers after going undrafted in 2025. He didn't make their initial 53-man roster but landed in the practice squad. They released him on Nov. 25, and the Jags quickly brought him in. It's worth noting that they also signed veteran Juan Thornhill not that long ago, and they can promote either one without using a roster spot.
Because the Jags had one spot open in the practice squad, they didn't have to make a corresponding move to pave the way for Thomas.
Circling back to Murray, he signed a three-year deal worth $21 million with the Jags in free agency. Prior to getting hurt, he had logged 34 total tackles, four passes defensed, and one interception. Before landing in Jacksonville, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher played for the Houston Texans, the Cleveland Browns, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eric Murray and Trevian Thomas give the Jaguars flexibility at safety
With Eric Murray back in the fold, it will be interesting to see what the Jaguars do at safety. Although Antonio Johnson had a dreadful outing against the Las Vegas Raiders, he's generally fared well during Murray's absence.
The alternative would be to bench Andrew Wingard in favor of Murray, but that may not be a move Jacksonville is planning to make. Either way, the team now has options at safety. Moreover, there's no guarantee Murray will be back in the lineup against the Tennessee Titans. He did return to practice but may need one week or two to join the lineup.
Couple that with the fact that the Jaguars can promote Juan Thornhill or Trevian Thomas to the active roster as early as the Titans game, and they suddenly have better depth at safety. This doesn't mean that they no longer have to bolster the position in the offseason. They do, but at least for the moment, they appear to be set at the position for the remainder of the season.
In the end, the Jaguars will need all the help they can get to finish the season strong, and having Eric Murray back, along with reinforcements at safety, will most definitely help.