Jags insist no one is panicking despite lopsided losses
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — All that preseason hype surrounding Jacksonville's defense has come to a hasty halt.
The Jaguars (3-3), who play host to the Texans on Sunday, allowed 802 yards and 70 points in consecutive losses to Kansas City and Dallas, hardly the kind of performances Jacksonville's brash defenders expected when they opened training camp talking about going 16-0 and beginning a Super Bowl-or-bust season.
“It's definitely uncharacteristic of us to get beat like that,” safety Tashaun Gipson said Monday. “But at the end of the day, that's the only answer I can give you because that's what I believe in. Truthfully, deep down inside, I believe that we have the guys in here to turn it around.
“Nobody's panicking right now. We're frustrated. We're (ticked) off. Absolutely, but nobody's panicking right now and that's the thing. I don't know of any type of answer that people are looking for, know there's not a panic button. At least there's not a panic button in my mindset, and I don't see the guys in here” panicking.
The team placed kick returner Jaydon Mickens on injured reserve after he broke his left ankle returning a punt Sunday.
Smith fired as Bucs’ defense coordinator
Tampa Bay fired defensive coordinator Mike Smith and replaced him with linebackers coach Mark Duffner.
The move came a day after the team's third consecutive defeat — a 34-29 loss to Atlanta — following a 2-0 start and two weeks after Dirk Koetter said he had no intentions of dismissing Smith because the Buccaneers' defensive woes were not the fault of any one person.
Tampa Bay has the NFL's second-ranked offense and No. 1 passing attack but is next to last in total defense and has allowed a league-high 34.6 points per game. Through five games, the Bucs (2-3) are giving up 439.8 yards per game. They are last in pass defense (355.6), while also allowing a league-high 34.6 points per game.
Opponents have scored 30 or more points four times, including 40-plus twice.
Odds and ends
Denver Broncos guard Ron Leary, the team’s best offensive lineman, will be placed on injured reserve after tearing an Achilles in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. … Minnesota cornerback Mike Hughes suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s victory over Arizona, ending a promising rookie season after six games. … Cleveland wide receiver Rod Streater suffered a neck fracture while covering a punt on Sunday and is done for the season. The Browns said Streater, who does not need surgery at this time, is “doing well,” and doctors expect him to make a full recovery. The team also learned it may be without Pro Bowl linebacker Joe Schobert for several games because of a hamstring injury. Schobert was hurt Sunday, and coach Hue Jackson said Schobert will be “down for a little while.” … The New York Jets could be without two of their top playmakers on offense and defense for a while after they were injured Sunday. Safety Marcus Maye has a broken right thumb that could sideline him for a few weeks, and leading wide receiver Quincy Enunwa has a sprained right ankle. … Detroit’s Jamal Agnew, who earned All-Pro honors last season as a rookie punt returner, was placed on injured reserve with a knee problem although Lions coach Matt Patricia is not ruling out the possibility of Agnew returning this season. … Atlanta kicker Matt Bryant likely will miss Monday’s game against the New York Giants after straining his right hamstring making a 57-yard field goal Sunday.