The Jacksonville Jaguars will enter their upcoming home game against the Los Angeles Chargers without three key starters and a crucial reserve. This, of course, creates tremendous risks for the players on the team as they seek to keep hope alive in the thick of a league season.
In addition to Wright, the Jaguars will be without starting players linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, guard Tyler Shatley and defensive lineman Armon Watts. Further compounding the loss, one of the top receivers in the country, Brian Thomas Jr, will be out. It’s the second straight game Oluokun and Shatley have missed. If that’s the case, it’s concerning not just for this position group but for the team’s depth and performance overall.
The past week, Montaric Brown proved to be the man when called upon to fill in for Oluokun. He’s primed to assume that same role against the Chargers at EverBank Stadium. Brown’s continued presence will be critical for the Jaguars’ defensive strategy, as they aim to contain the Chargers’ potent offense.
At the same time, Cole Van Lanen is expected to get the nod at right tackle, changing up the team’s offensive line even more. His absence will surely pose some difficulties in protecting the quarterback and driving a potentially great running game.
Their most important receiver, senior Brian Thomas Jr., has missed the last four games due to injury. His loss has made the Jaguars’ issues in the passing game even worse. His absence leaves a big hole that other receivers will need to fill. Most importantly, they need to be able to communicate well with the QB.
As the Jaguars approach this critical clash, the stakes could scarcely be higher. The Chargers are a very difficult matchup. If they are missing some key players, it can throw a huge wrench in their ability to execute their game plan.
Legendary sports journalist Gene DiRocco has been there every step of the way, providing poignant and astute perspective on the Jaguars all season long. He is a three-time APSE award winner and proud graduate of Jacksonville University. His insights should help illuminate how the roster is equipped to weather those storms in the future and better address them.
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