Quarterback Trevor Lawrence's ankle sprain and his potential availability (or lack thereof) are two of the biggest storylines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. However, Lawrence isn't the only Jags player dealing with an injury heading into the game. In fact, he's still got a chance of playing, whereas some of his teammates have already been ruled.
Walker Little, Tyson Campbell, and Tre Herndon won't be suiting up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Of the three, Little's absence may be the most devasting one. See, he was already playing in relief of Cam Robinson, who's on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.
Without Little in the fold, the Jaguars may bump left guard Ezra Cleveland to the edge. A 2020 second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, the former Boise State Bronco landed in Jacksonville at the trade deadline earlier this year. His familiarity with offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, who was his position coach in Minneapolis might've been a reason the Jags acquired him.
Heading into Sunday, Cleveland has gotten reps at left tackle, and with Little already ruled out, there's a high chance that's where he'll play when the Browns host the Jags at FirstEnergy Stadium. But whether Cleveland lines up at guard or tackle, he, along with these four players, will need to shine if the Jaguars want to leave Ohio with a win.
5. Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland doesn't have the name-recognition Josh Allen or Trevor Lawrence enjoy but he'll arguably be equally as important in Week 14. Being tasked with protecting Steezy Trev's blind side, the margin for error will be slim. This wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the fact that Cleveland is a left guard, the only other position he's played in the NFL is right guard, and that came as a rookie.
Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Cleveland may be their best option to line up at left tackle in light of Walker Little's absence. Head coach Doug Pederson, for his part, says Cleveland did fine in practice.
"He seems to look fine, looks comfortable," Pederson told the media Friday. "He's got history with Phil. "When he was drafted, tackle was going to be his spot, and then they moved him inside. They need guard help, and he's played guard ever since."
4. Montaric Brown
Injuries have hampered Tyson Campbell this season. First, he suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to miss four non-consecutive games. Then, he hurt his quad in the Monday Night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, it's not a given that the former Georgia Bulldog will sit out Sunday's bout, but if he doesn't, Montaric Brown will surely step in his place.
A seventh-round pick in last year's draft, Brown has made significant strides in Year 2. More often than not, he's been called upon when Campbell's missed time. Against the New Orleans Saints, he had two key passes defensed, including one with the game on the line.
While the former Arkansas Cornhusker has struggled at times, he's more than held his own. The last time he suited up this season was against the Houston Texans in Week 12. Brown gave up four receptions on five targets for 80 yards that day. He'll need to play much better if he steps up in relief of Campbell Sunday.
3. Gregory Junior
Montaric Brown isn't the only reserve cornerback the Jaguars will call against the Browns. Gregory Junior, who was drafted one round before Brown, might also play Sunday. In his case, he'll replace Tre Herndon, who's already been ruled out with a concussion.
The first-ever Ouachita Baptist prospect to be drafted has the size to play nickel. Given his growth since the end of the 2022 season, he even looked like a candidate to replace Herndon if the team had moved on from him. Junior has played 61 snaps this season and 18 of them have been in the slot, which is why he's the most likely candidate to step in Herndon's place against the Browns.
2. Parker Washington
There were many lows in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals but there were also a few highs, including the performance of Parker Washington, who entered the game when Christian Kirk got hurt in the first play of the Jaguars' opening drive.
Washington went on to log 61 yards and one touchdown on six receptions, which is impressive when you take into account that it was the first time this season (and in his NFL career) that he had snaps on offense.
With Christian Kirk scheduled to undergo core surgery, Washington will get an extended role in Jacksonville. He'll need to play the way he did on Monday Night Football, and if he does, the offense won't miss a beat, even if Trevor Lawrence isn't 100 percent.
1. Josh Allen
Outside linebacker Josh Allen was another bright spot, in what was an otherwise heartbreaking loss to the Bengals. While the rest of the offense struggled to finish tackles and stop Jake "Joe Burrow" Browning, Allen consistently made plays, including an interception off Tyler Boyd.
Allen is having a career season, and is one sack away from tying the franchise record of 14.5 Calais Campbell set in 2017. Don't be surprised if Allen has a monster game in order to surpass his mentor and get the record for himself. Also, he's a potential Pro Bowl candidate and a dark horse in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
This season, Allen has been a man in a mission, and it's hard to see him turning the switch off against Cleveland.