The Jaguars are 3-1, and a big reason why is the steady contribution they’re getting from their rookie class. In Week 4, several first-year players either carved out bigger roles or showed they’re close to doing it. Others are still waiting for a chance.
At the top of that group, Josh Cameron keeps separating himself. Against the Bengals, he flashed the kind of after-the-catch juice that makes him dangerous even as a bigger receiver, finishing with two catches for 42 yards in a career-best outing. He has now turned all five of his catches this season into either touchdowns or first downs, and he’s giving Jacksonville real value as both a pass-catcher and a run-blocker.
Every single one of Josh Cameron's catches in the first month of the #Jaguars season went for a TD or a first down. 5 on 26 routes, giving him an impact play every five routes or so. Crazy efficient first month considering his role pic.twitter.com/3A8x222ayc
Emmanuel Pregnon is right there in the conversation too, even if his game looked a little rougher at times. The rookie left guard had a couple of clear first-month learning moments, including an early holding call on Jonathan Allen and another snap where he appeared to pull at the same time as Ezra Cleveland.
But he settled in, made some good run-game blocks, and held up in pass protection. On top of that, he has played every offensive snap this season, and that kind of reliability matters.
Cameron may be the splashier story, but Pregnon keeps his spot near the top because he’s starting and getting better.
Tanner Koziol also moved in the right direction. He was active for the second straight week and played 10 offensive snaps, up from three the week before against the New England Patriots.
Most of that work has come as a blocker, and he still hasn’t been involved in the passing game, but the Jaguars are at least finding more ways to get him on the field. That’s a positive sign for a rookie who could see his role grow over time.
On the other end of the spectrum, Wesley Williams and CJ Williams are still stuck on the sideline. Wesley Williams was inactive again, with Bryan Thomas Jr. holding the fourth defensive end job for the third straight week.
The fourth-round pick from Duke remains a developmental stash unless injuries hit the edge group. CJ Williams, meanwhile, was a healthy scratch for the third week in a row and has only played in Week 1, when Jacksonville blew out the Cleveland Browns.
Unless the Jaguars get hit at receiver, his path to snaps looks narrow. There’s also the possibility he could be called up if cornerback injuries force Travis Hunter to focus only on defense.
Jalen Huskey may be next in line for a real opportunity. He has been inactive every week so far, but with Caleb Ransaw and Eric Murray both leaving Sunday’s game with injuries, the Jaguars could need him during their London series. Antonio Johnson sounded confident about what Huskey can bring.
“He's a great ball player. He shows great physicality and he shows good range in the post.
I'm excited to see what he can do during the game," Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson said on Monday. "It was exciting to see him play during preseason.
He played with a lot of energy. He was physical.
I think he is going to do a great job when his number get called, he is going to come out there, he's going to do what he have to do to make the plays that come to him.”
Bryan Thomas Jr. had a mixed Week 4, but there was at least one encouraging note. He played more snaps than second-year defensive end Danny Striggow for the first time in their three games together, and the Bengals’ pass-heavy approach probably helped explain that. Thomas logged 10 pass-rush snaps, though he didn’t record a pressure.
Regis also saw limited work. He entered Sunday questionable with an elbow injury that had restricted him in practice, and he played four snaps against Cincinnati.
The reduced workload may have been tied to the injury, but the Jaguars also used fewer five-man fronts against the Bengals’ passing game, which cut into the need for extra defensive linemen. Next week against the Philadelphia Eagles could bring a different setup.
In Other News...
Former Jaguars Pick Just Landed Back In The AFC South
The Texans dipped into the open market for some familiar AFC South help, adding linebacker Chad Muma, defensive back Jaden Davis and running back Deuce Vaughn to the practice squad as they work through injuries and depth concerns heading into their next game. For Jacksonville readers, Muma stands out as the former Jaguars draft pick now back in the division, a reminder of how quickly personnel can shuffle around this league this time of year.
Houston also is making a notable change on the sideline, with coach DeMeco Ryans saying he is resuming defensive play-calling duties. Between the roster moves and the shift in responsibility, the Texans are clearly trying to steady things on both sides of the ball, and Mumas addition gives them another experienced piece to sort through as they patch together their depth. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Get A Very Different Eagles Test In London
The Eagles arrive in London for Week 5 looking a lot different than the version the Jaguars saw on the schedule earlier in the year. Philadelphia has had meaningful roster turnover, with Lane Johnson retired and Cam Jurgens now in Baltimore, and that reshuffling has put extra pressure on a group that already has to adjust on the fly. For Jacksonville, it adds a layer of intrigue to a trip that was always going to test preparation and adaptability.
Willie Lampkin is expected to see more work as the Eagles sort through those changes up front, and the Jaguars will be watching closely to see how the matchup develops in a neutral-site setting. Trevor Lawrence and the offense have their own reasons to be encouraged entering the game, but this one feels less like a familiar NFC heavyweight showing up and more like a moving target the Jaguars will have to identify quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Trevor Lawrence Gets A Huge Chance To Flip Jaguars-Eagles Script
Trevor Lawrence has given the Jaguars enough reason to believe this matchup can look different from the usual script when Philadelphia comes to town in Week 5. Jacksonvilles quarterback has played well this season, and the teams run defense has been one of the steadier parts of the operation, giving the Jaguars a chance to lean into the kind of complementary football that travels well against a contender.
Philadelphia brings its own issues into the game, including injuries and some turnover up front on the offensive line, which could make life a little less comfortable than usual for the Eagles. From Jacksonvilles perspective, that opens the door for the defense to keep doing its job and for Lawrence to have one of those games that changes how a matchup feels before it is over. [Read more 🡒]