The Jacksonville Jaguars made a practical move Monday in the wake of Davon Hamilton’s season-ending injury, bringing back a familiar body for the defensive line: veteran tackle Austin Johnson.
Johnson is on the practice squad, but the timing matters. Jacksonville is staring down Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens with less than 80 hours to prepare, and that makes a quick-fix trade addition a tough fit. A player acquired Monday would likely have a hard time getting up to speed in time to be active Thursday night in Baltimore.
Johnson, though, already knows the setup. He played in this defense last season, in the same scheme, under the same coordinator, with the same teammates and the same position coach.
That kind of familiarity is exactly why he makes sense as an immediate depth move. If the Jaguars wanted someone who could be in the building Monday and potentially help in run defense Thursday, Johnson was the type of option that fit the clock.
Last season with Jacksonville, Johnson played in 14 games and finished with 12 tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and a pass defensed.
Even with Johnson back in the fold, replacing Hamilton is still a major challenge. The Jaguars are going to have to lean on someone already on the roster for Thursday Night Football, and the most likely candidate appears to be Matt Dickerson rather than third-round rookie nose tackle Albert Regis.
Dickerson has already carved out a backup role over the last two seasons, and that role now looks ready to grow. Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun had strong words for him Monday.
"Matt Dickerson has been a guy since he got here, he's been working, working, working. I think he was on practice squad when he first got here, but he was disruptive right away," Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun said Monday.
"And it's just the way that he plays selfless, like I'm talking about building the wall for the team, holding double teams, running the stunts right and stuff; he's selfless and definitely plays with a lot of grit and determination. I definitely appreciate him for it.
So, we have a lot of faith in Dickerson and then whoever else we're going to put in there. Just knowing the kind of guy that he is, he's ready for success in that same spot.”
The Johnson move does not close the door on more help, either. It also does not mean Jacksonville is guaranteed to jump into the trade market, since plenty has to line up for a deal to happen. But it would be a stretch to say the Jaguars are finished addressing the position after this one signing.
The more likely read is that Jacksonville will keep working the phones over the next week for defensive tackle help that could matter later in the season. For now, though, Johnson’s arrival is about Thursday first and everything else second. Do not be surprised if the Jaguars keep showing up in conversations around the defensive tackle market.
In Other News...
Jaguars Suddenly Have A Division-Shifting Problem The Colts Will Watch
DaVon Hamiltons season-ending torn quad leaves the Jaguars with a real problem in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when every AFC South game feels loaded with extra weight. Hamilton has been a key part of Jacksonvilles interior defensive line, so losing him doesnt just thin out the rotation - it changes how the front has to hold up against the run and push the pocket.
The timing also puts Jacksonville on the clock before the NFL trade deadline, with the team now expected to look for help at defensive tackle. For the Colts, and everyone else watching the division race, it is the kind of injury that can ripple beyond one roster spot and force a team to make a move it may not have planned on making this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Just Caught A Huge Break In Week 9
The Jaguars head into Week 9 with a chance to take advantage of a Baltimore team suddenly in a difficult spot. Jacksonville is 5-2 and sitting atop the AFC South after flattening the Colts, and the matchup now looks even friendlier with the Ravens dealing with major quarterback uncertainty. Lamar Jackson is expected to go on injured reserve after hurting his thumb in Week 8, and Tyler Huntley is also banged up, leaving Baltimore in line to lean on a depth chart that could get very thin in a hurry.
For Jacksonville, that kind of break matters in a crowded AFC race, especially with Trevor Lawrence steering an offense that has played well alongside a defense that has been among the leagues best by EPA per play. The Jaguars have earned their strong position, but the timing of this opponents injuries gives them a real opening to keep momentum rolling and protect their place in the division. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Suddenly Face A Big Problem In The Middle Of Their Defense
The middle of the Jaguars defense took a major hit in the game against the Colts, when DaVon Hamilton suffered a torn quad injury that is expected to end his season. Hamilton has been one of Jacksonvilles most important pieces against the run, and his absence leaves a noticeable void in a unit that leans on him for both production and presence.
Hamilton is also one of the steadier voices in the locker room, which makes this loss about more than just snaps and tackles. He is scheduled to undergo additional tests to get a fuller read on the injury, but for Jacksonville the immediate concern is how to replace a key interior defender and a team leader at a spot where depth is already being tested. [Read more 🡒]