Tyson Campbell's absence will hurt the Jaguars during 3-game schedule gauntlet

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Miami Dolphins 20-17 in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. To make matters worse, cornerback Tyson Campbell sustained a hamstring injury and is expected to miss time. The Jags will have to navigate a tough three-game stretch without him.

Campbell exited the season opener after suffering the aforementioned hamstring injury. Head coach Doug Pederson told the media the day after the game that the fourth-year cornerback will miss time but didn't provide an update.

This isn't great news for a Jaguars team that is set to face a tough slate of opponents the next three weeks: The Cleveland Browns, the Buffalo Bills, and the Houston Texans.

While the Browns lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, they have enough weapons on offense to bounce back. It's also worth noting that they were without starting offensive tackles Jedrick Willis and Jack Conklin in the opener. There's a chance both of them will suit up for Week 2.

On the other hand, the Bills remain a threat as long as quarterback Josh Allen is behind center. In Week 1, they survived a shootout against the Arizona Cardinals, winning 34-28. The Jaguars have enough fire-power to go toe-to-toe against them but having Campbell back for the Thursday Night bout will increase their chances of coming out on top.

Following their Week 3 against the Bills, Jacksonville will face the Houston Texans. Still the team to beat in the AFC South, the Texans are coming off a win over the Indianapolis Colts 29-27. It's been only one week but it looks like they've picked up where they left off in 2023.

Campbell, a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, has been the team's best cornerback the past three seasons. Following an impressive sophomore campaign, he was dubbed a top-10 player at his position but injuries prevented him from making an impact in 2023. Nevertheless, the Jags gave him a long-term contract in the offseason because they see him as a franchise cornerstone.

Against the Dolphins in Week 1, Campbell gave up two receptions on three targets for 14 targets. He was credited with missing one tackle.

The Jaguars may face the Cleveland Browns without Tyson Campbell

With Tyson Campbell out of the mix, rookie Jarrian Jones is the next man up. A third-round pick in this year's draft, the former Florida State Seminole played 14 snaps in Week 1, giving up three receptions on four targets for 59 yards. Veteran Ronald Darby, on the other hand, surrendered the 80-yard touchdown against Tyreek Hill.

Jones flashed potential in the training camp and the preseason but teams will try to exploit his lack of experience in the NFL. Darby, for his part, should recover from his underwhelming performance in the opener but the Jaguars will surely want to get Campbell back as soon as possible.

The silver lining is that Jacksonville will have somewhat of a favorable matchup against the Browns offense. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had a dreadful performance in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, logging 144 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

It will be up to the Jacksonville Jaguars to take advantage of their Week 2 matchup and hold the fort while Campbell misses time.

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