Two of Jacksonville’s newest additions won’t be making their debuts Sunday.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Friday that safety Jessie Bates and defensive tackle Jordan Davis will sit out the team’s game against the Titans. Coen explained that neither player had a bye week with his previous team, and the Jaguars want to give them time to get settled before putting them on the field.
“Want to be able to make sure [that with] player safety, putting them in a position to succeed, also learn the system, and just give those guys a week to be able to do that,” Coen said.
Davon Godchaux, who did have a bye, is expected to play.
Coen said the team had been discussing the possibility throughout the week and made the call Friday to hold both players out.
He also praised the way the newcomers have handled the transition.
“Yeah, I mean, Jesse Bates has been here until about 10:30 every night, which has been pretty cool seeing him in there learning, grinding, working through it,” Coen said. “There’s obviously so much that safeties have to be able to communicate and operate with in the backend of the entire structure.
I’ve really appreciated the way him, Jordan, and Davon have all gone through the work week. Obviously, Davon and Jesse have been through different organizations, teams, moves - this is new for Jordan.
And he’s worked his tail off with the strength and conditioning and sports science, athletic training guys this week. And he’s putting his best foot forward to hopefully be able to get out next week for us.”
Jacksonville is scheduled to travel to face the Giants in Week 11, when Davis and Bates are expected to make their debuts.
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