Latest Jaguars injury report offers encouraging Arik Armstead update

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be getting a few players back when they face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. However, they may also be without a handful others.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and tight end Brenton Strange may be available when the Jags play Arizona. On the other hand, the arrow isn't pointing up for pass rusher Travon Walker and linebacker Yasir Abdullah.

The Jaguars get Arik Armstead back, but Travon Walker remains out

Travon Walker and Yasir Abdullah missed practice for the second straight day. However, defensive tackle Arik Armstead was listed as full Thursday after being out the day prior. Safety Andrew Wingard is also back in the fold after earning the limited designation Wednesday. The rest of the injury report didn't have many changes.

Tight end Brenton Strange (hip), wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle), running back Bhayshul Tuten (ankle), running back Travis Etienne (shoulder), right guard Patrick Mekari (knee), offensive guard Wyatt Milum (knee), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (kneck), linebacker Dennis Gardeck (chest), and cornerback Jarrian Jones (quad) were listed as limited.

Maybe Walker will make a notable improvement in the upcoming days, but based on the injury report, nobody will bat an eye if he misses the Cardinals game. Similarly, Thomas and Strange are trending in the right direction, but it's not a given that they'll be available. Armstead's return is huge, though. He's been one of the team's most dominant defenders, even though the front four as a whole has had trouble getting after the quarterback.

Related: Liam Coen explains why the Cardinals remain dangerous even without Kyler Murray

The Jaguars might be shorthanded vs. the Cardinals in Week 12

As long as this week's injury report has been, many of the players who popped up will be good to go. Having said that, head coach Liam Coen won't make any guarantees.

"I'm always optimistic. But look, I really don't know. You were optimistic on some of them last week and didn't end up working out," Coen told the media Wednesday (5:39 mark). "That was, obviously, frustrating for those guys, specifically, and for us when you're trying to continue to get your guys out there. But I thought guys stepped up as well in their places."

Coen continued, "And you look at operating again with two tight ends in a game, and those two tight ends play their tails off. So it is definitely a next man up. Has to be a next man up mentality, and ultimately, hopefully, we get these guys back."

All things considered, Coen makes a valid point. The Jaguars beat the Chargers without Brian Thomas Jr. because Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers stepped up. Similarly, Cole Van Lanen held the fort when he filled in for Anton Harrison at right tackle, while Jarrian Jones delivered in relief of Jourdan Lewis.

If Travon Walker ends up sitting out the Week 12 matchup, the Jags will try to replace him with the rookie duo of Danny Striggow and B.J. Hill II.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars have enough talent to defeat the Cardinals even if they miss a handful of players.