Tyson Campbell absence paves way for young CBs to show out in Jaguars training camp

Cornerback Tyson Campbell is currently in concussion protocol after colliding with wide receiver Christian Kirk in practice. The Jacksonville Jaguars surely want to have Campbell back in practice as soon as possible but they'll also take advantage of his absence to give other players a look.

Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell met with the local media on Day 11 and said the whole cornerback group will be getting more reps in the upcoming days.

The whole group, you got TC, Buster, Greg Jr.," Caldwell said when asked who in the cornerback room has stepped up. "A variety of guys, Divaad [Wilson], he's a guy who can possibly get in there. Extra guys have been able to get more reps and that'll come with more practice as training camp goes on."

There isn't a time frame for players to clear the concussion protocol, so it's hard to tell when Campbell will be back to practice. Early in training camp, he made headlines for going against wide receiver Calvin Ridley in every rep. For the time being, the team is making the most out of his absence.

Campbell and Darious Williams are the Jaguars' top two cornerbacks entering the 2023 season. However, the rest of the depth chart is still taking shape. Veteran Tre Herndon is slated to play nickel but other players have gotten reps in the slot throughout the offseason. Sophomore Gregory Junior is one of them. Also, rookies Erick Hallett II and Antonio Johnson have gotten reps inside despite the fact that they're listed as safeties.

In the boundaries, Chris Claybrooks seems to have the inside track to be No. 4 on the depth chart/the primary backup outside at cornerback. This is noteworthy because the former Memphis Tiger was arrested twice this year but the Jaguars are letting the legal process play out.

Other players on the mix are TeVaughn Campbell, sophomore Montaric Brown, rookie Kaleb Hayes and Divaad Wilson, whom Caldwell brought up during his media availability session. Here's the whole exchange in case you want to look at it.

The Jaguars cornerback unit seems to be in good shape ahead of the 2023 season

The Jaguars have poured resources into their cornerback group over the last two years and it's paid off. Besides drafting Tyson Campbell in 2021 and signing Darious Williams the following year, they've invested several draft picks in the position. In 2022, they picked Gregory Junior and Montaric Buster Brown. Christian Braswell, along with Erick Hallett II and Antonio Johnson followed next this year.

On top of that, the team's brass claimed Tevaughn Campbell off waivers in 2022 and signed Kaleb Hayes and Divaad Wilson as undrafted free agents earlier this year. Heading into training camp, Jacksonville has a surplus at cornerback, and that's without contemplating the possibility of adding another one off waivers before the regular season. On the other hand, not everyone will be able to make the team.

From the outside, it's hard to tell how the cornerback depth chart will look in the opener. The good news is that the Jacksonville Jaguars won't have to scramble to address the position.

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