The Jacksonville Jaguars will head into their Week 13 matchup against the Tennessee Titans shorthanded, with eight players listed as inactive - and several of them are key contributors.
Let’s break it down.
Jaguars’ Week 13 Inactives:
- WR Dyami Brown
- RB Cody Schrader
- DE Travon Walker
- OL Chuma Edoga
- OL Patrick Mekari
- TE Hunter Long
- DT Arik Armstead
The headline here is the absence of Arik Armstead, who’s quietly been one of the Jaguars’ most impactful defensive linemen in recent weeks. Armstead was a late addition to the injury report with a hand issue and was officially listed as questionable on Saturday.
Now, he’s out - and that’s a serious blow to a Jacksonville front that’s relied on his disruptive presence in the trenches. His ability to collapse pockets and control gaps has been a big part of the Jaguars’ defensive success.
Travon Walker, Chuma Edoga, and Patrick Mekari were all ruled out earlier in the week, so their absences aren’t a surprise - but they still sting. Walker, in particular, has been a key part of the edge rotation, and without him, Jacksonville will once again have to dig into its depth at defensive end.
Last week, with Walker sidelined, Dennis Gardeck saw the second-most snaps at defensive end. Expect to see a mix of BJ Green, Danny Striggow, and Emmanuel Ogbah rotating in to help fill the void on the edge. It’s a group that’s shown flashes, but consistency will be key against a Titans offense that can still punish mistakes.
On the offensive line, the absence of Edoga and Mekari leaves the Jaguars thin. Cole Van Lanen could step into the right guard spot, a position that’s seen some shuffling this season. Protection up front will be critical, especially against a Titans defense that thrives on pressure.
At tight end, Hunter Long is a healthy scratch, as is Dyami Brown at wide receiver. Brown’s role in the offense has diminished in recent weeks, and with Brenton Strange returning to action last week, the tight end group seems to be in a good spot. Johnny Mundt and Quintin Morris handled the load well in Strange’s absence, and now the trio gives Jacksonville some flexibility in two- and three-tight end sets.
As for Cody Schrader, he remains inactive - as he has all season - sitting fourth on the running back depth chart.
What It Means
The Jaguars are going to need some “next man up” performances across the board. The defensive line rotation will be tested without Armstead and Walker, and the offensive line has to hold strong despite missing two key depth pieces.
The good news? Jacksonville has shown it can adapt.
But against a divisional opponent like Tennessee, every snap matters.
This is the kind of game where depth gets tested - and where coaching staffs earn their paychecks.