Heading into the Week 3 matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars listed Jarian Jones on their injury report. The good news is that they have a pair of replacements ready to go in case the sophomore cornerback misses time.
On the other hand, Jones is at risk of getting bench just three weeks into the 2025 season.
Why the Jaguars could bench Jarrian Jones as soon as Week 3:
Jones fared well in the slot as a rookie, registering six passes defensed and allowing no touchdowns. He did allow a 72.6 percent completion rate, but in his defense, the Jacksonville secondary as a whole struggled. Moreover, his work in the slot earned him a mention on Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie team
But with the arrival of designated slot corner Jourdan Lewis in free agency, Jones moved to the boundaries in Year 2. The switch didn't faze him, as he said he could thrive inside or outside, wherever the coaching staff had him play. However, that's not been the case two weeks into the regular season.
Jones has logged 71 snaps at corner, most of them in the boundaries, the past two games. Sure, he's given up a solid 54.5 percent completion rate, but he's also allowed several big plays. On top of that, the former Florida State has missed an alarming 16.7 percent of his tackles. That's nearly one every five attempts.
Compounding the issue is that Jones left the Cincinnati Bengals loss with a back injury. He eventually returned but wasn't much of a factor.
Fast forward to Week 3, and Jones was a limited participant in practice. If he misses the game, he may not return to the starting lineup. But even if he suits up, he could be one big-play away from getting benched.
The Jaguars could bench Jarrian Jones in favor of Travis Hunter or Montaric Brown
The reason the Jaguars can afford to bench Jarrian Jones — regardless of the reason (ineffectiveness or availability) — is that they have a pair of capable replacements in Montaric Brown and Travis Hunter.
Hunter has seen an uptick in playing time after logging just six defensive snaps in the season opener. He showed in Week 2 that he's fully capable of taking on a two-way role full-time, tallying a combined 85 snaps at corner or receiver. If Jones isn't good to go against the Texans, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner could have an expanded role.
Brown gives the Jaguars another option. He's back at practice after missing the preseason and the past two games with a leg injury. Back in training camp, the fourth-year corner was making a strong push for a starting role before he got hurt.
One last alternative would be to give both Brown and Hunter snaps opposite Tyson Campbell. Given that the latter is still learning the nuances of the position, this could be the path the coaching staff chooses.
The bottom line is that Jarrian Jones hasn't had enough to keep his job, and not being available against the Texans could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Is it fair? Probably not, but in football, the best ability is availability, and he may not have enough for Week 3.