The Jaguars have mostly gotten encouraging injury news heading into Week 3, but DaVon Hamilton is the one name that could change the shape of Sunday’s defensive line rotation.
Jacksonville’s first injury report for its matchup with the New England Patriots listed running back LeQuint Allen, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen as limited, which was expected. The two additions were center Robert Hainsey, who is dealing with an elbow/groin issue, and Hamilton, who is limited because of a back injury.
Hamilton’s status matters for more than one reason. He has long been the steady force in Jacksonville’s run defense, and the Jaguars need him operating near full strength whenever possible.
He returned to the Week 2 loss against the Broncos after hurting his back in the second half, so there’s no clear reason to think he won’t be available Sunday. Still, the limited designation suggests he’s not fully right yet, and that opens the door for rookie defensive tackle Albert Regis.
That possibility is especially relevant against a Patriots team that likes to lean on the run. Regis has only played 16 snaps through two games, working behind Hamilton, Arik Armstead, Matt Dickerson, and Ruke Orhorhoro. But if Hamilton is less than 100 percent, Jacksonville may need to lean more heavily on the rookie in a game where interior disruption will matter.
“We got enough guys to do it. I think D-Ham [DT DaVon Hamilton] actually, had some really good rushes as well, in some of the play action.
We feel good about the depth. We just have to get a little bit more production," Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said about the defensive tackle room on Wednesday.
That’s the key line in all of this: the Jaguars like the depth, but the production has lagged. Hamilton remains Jacksonville’s best defensive tackle, yet the team may need to protect him a little more while he works through the back issue. Dickerson and Orhorhoro have already gotten some of those snaps, and Regis could be next in line.
Jacksonville has treated Regis like it has many of its young players - plenty of belief in the talent and intangibles, without demanding immediate impact. But with Hamilton banged up, this could be the week the Jaguars accelerate his development and give him a bigger role.
In Other News...
Jaguars Rookies Already Face A Week 3 Reality Check
The Jaguars Week 2 loss to the Broncos was a sharp reminder that early-season momentum can disappear fast, especially for a young roster trying to settle in. Jacksonville had led 13-3 before things slipped away, and head coach Liam Coen spent the week stressing the same point to the rookies: keep the focus on the next game, not on the disappointment behind them. For a group still trying to earn trust and find a foothold, every snap and every inactive list decision carries extra weight.
Several newcomers felt that reality in Denver, where Wesley Williams, Tanner Koziol, Jalen Huskey and CJ Williams were healthy scratches, while undrafted rookie Bryan Thomas Jr. got his NFL debut. Others, including Albert Regis, Josh Cameron and Nate Boerkircher, had different levels of involvement as the staff mixed and matched roles on the fly. It is the kind of early-season sorting process that can change quickly, but for these rookies, Week 3 already looks like another test of how much they can handle and how soon they can help. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Just Got A Reality Check Fans Can't Ignore
The Jaguars Week 2 loss to the Broncos was more than a bad finish, it was the kind of setback that forces a quick reality check. Jacksonville had a 10-point second-half lead and still walked away empty-handed, a result that stings even more in September when early momentum can shape the rest of the season.
Liam Coen has already stressed accountability and a strong response moving forward, and now the question is how this team handles the fallout. National power rankings have taken notice, too, nudging Jacksonville just outside the top 10 and reflecting how fragile the margin can be when a promising start slips away. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Already Look Like Contenders But One Doubt Still Lingers
The Jaguars still have the look of a team built to stay in the AFC race, even after a Week 2 loss did little to shake their place in the broader contender conversation. They remain ranked No. 10 in a Super Bowl contender power ranking, with the praise centered on strong coaching and steady quarterback play, two pillars that usually keep a team relevant deep into the season.
Still, the placement also serves as a reminder that Jacksonville has not fully erased every question around its ceiling. A loss this early does not change the bigger picture, but it does keep the pressure on a roster that has to prove it can stack wins the way the leagues more established contenders do. [Read more 🡒]