Jaguars not getting great early returns on Tyson Campbell's contract extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars gave cornerback Tyson Campbell a long-term extension in the offseason because they think he's an integral part of their secondary. However, the early returns on their investment haven't been great.

Campbell was flagged for defensive pass interference in the third quarter of their Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. To make matters worse, he seemed to be grabbing his hamstring on the same play. Not long after he left the game, and third-year pro Montaric Brown took his place in the lineup.

Update: Jaguars HC Doug Pederson says Tyson Campbell will miss time but didn't provide a specific timeframe, pointing out that he doesn't want to put him on a box.

Without Campbell, the Jaguars' defensive backfield is exposed. Already, they had trouble containing Tyreek Hill, who had an 80-yard touchdown reception and crossed the 100-yard mark.

Jacksonville did a commendable job containing the Dolphins' offense early on, limiting them to seven points in the first half. However, they have had no answer for their high-powered passing game in the second half, giving up yards in chunks and eventually letting Miami get ahead in the fourth quarter.

Campbell, a second-round pick in 2021, struggled early as a rookie but got better as the season progressed. He had a team-high two interceptions that year and was even better in 2022, logging three picks and giving up less than 10.0 yards per reception. Following his productive sophomore campaign, the former Georgia Bulldog was in the conversation about the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL.

However, hamstring and quad injuries hampered Campbell in 2023. Despite his underwhelming season, the Jags rewarded him with a four-year deal worth $76.5 million, making him the highest-paid player at the position who has never made the Pro Bowl or earned an All-Pro nod.

It's fair to say that at least in Week 1, Campbell didn't live up to expectations. You could argue that this assessment is harsh in light of his injury but injury is a player's biggest ability and you must stay healthy in the NFL to make an impact.

If Tyson Campbell cannot go for the Jaguars, Jarrian Jones is the next man up

As of this writing, it's unknown how serious Tyson Campbell's injury is or how much time he'll miss. While Montaric Brown filled in for him when he went down against the Miami Dolphins, rookie Jarrian Jones could get the nod when the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Cleveland Browns in their first game of the season at EverBank Stadium.

After the loss to Miami, Jones met with the press corps and said that he's ready to go if his number is called.

"Prayers to Tyson. I don't really know the situation. My thoughts and prayers are with him," Jones said when told could have a bigger role during Campbell's absence. "I'm just ready for any moment. Whether it be a package or just coming in for whatever it may be, I'm ready for my moment, and I'll prepare really well.

During the same exchange, Jones told the media he was unfazed by having to go against Tyreek Hill, "I was pretty level-headed. I respect the game. I respect who's in the game, and I respect him. But I definitely respect me a little more. He's a good player, I feel like I'm a good player. I just feel like I was executing and doing my job."

The Jaguars will surely want Tyson Campbell to return as soon as possible. On the other hand, he'll surely want to show he's a top-10 cornerback deserving of the contract he signed in the offseason, but if he isn't good to go against the Cleveland Browns, Jarrian Jones will need to be ready to roll.

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