Jaguars giving young guys a chance to prove themselves
JACKSONVILLE — With only two games remaining before the regular season ends, the Jaguars are giving some of their younger players a chance to play.
Until last week, the only snaps rookie defensive end Lyndon Johnson received were on the scout team in practice.
Making his game debut last week against the Washington Redskins, Johnson got eight snaps but didn’t make a tackle.
“Of course doing all the scout-team stuff was hard, but you have to wait on your turn,” said Johnson, who played at the University of Cincinnati but went undrafted in 2018. “But the thrill of playing was like a dream come true.”
Sputtering to a 4-10 record in a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations after making it to the AFC title game in 2017, roster turnover is expected to be high this offseason.
Before decisions are made, though, coach Doug Marrone wants to get a thorough evaluation of his young players to see who might be worth bringing back.
The Jaguars on Sunday play at Miami before closing out the regular season on Dec. 30 at Houston.
“I’m still trying to win these games. I’m doing the same thing I always did,” Marrone said. “I watched a week of practice, and I will make the decision of who had a good week and who gives us the best chance to win. That’s what we go with and just normally, I usually tell those guys at the end of the week here is who we are going with.”
But Marrone has particularly liked what he has seen from rookie linebacker Nick DeLuca, who is trying to make the most of his opportunities for the final two games like Johnson.
“He’s stepped in there,” Marrone said. “He’s a guy that works his butt off to be out on that field. He is a guy that was really a fullback in the preseason that was a converted linebacker. We brought him back in here, and he was running both sides. We put him on defense, and he has worked hard and done a nice job. He’s a young kid that just keeps working.”
Mostly playing on special teams, DeLuca earned his first career start last week in place of injured rookie Leon Jacobs at strongside linebacker in the team’s base defense. He had four tackles, including a strip sack of Washington quarterback Josh Johnson.
“This season has been a crazy whirlwind in getting a feel for everything, but I’m just trying to make the best of my opportunities,” said DeLuca, who has four tackles after seven games. “I’m just trying to come in here and finish strong with these guys and do the best that I can.”
DeLuca was waived after training camp before he was signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the 53-man roster in October and now is expected to earn his second consecutive start against the Dolphins.
Defensive coordinator Todd Wash thought Johnson and DeLuca both played solidly against the Redskins.
“We’re seeing the athleticism and how big and powerful both are,” Wash said.
Offensively, Marrone made a push to get a longer look at rookie running back Dave Williams in game situations.
It led last week to starting tailback Leonard Fournette getting one carry in the second half against Washington and backup tailback Carlos Hyde becoming a healthy scratch.
Hyde confirmed that he was told early last week that he would not play because they wanted to get a look at Williams.
Against the Redskins, Williams had five carries for 32 yards, which included a 15-yard run.
“Not a bad start, he had a couple of good runs,” offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich said. “He kind of stayed on the right landmark, reading the right guy. It didn’t look like it was too big for him with his limited attempts.”
It was the first time Williams got a carry in a game since Week 7 when he ran for 2 yards on one carry against Houston.
“Anything you do, you’re getting evaluated,” said Williams, whom the Jaguars signed off the Denver Broncos practice squad on Oct. 9. “Just walking around here, how you carry yourself, you’re getting evaluated. You may not know it, but you’re getting evaluated. I hope I get the same amount or even more opportunities this week just to show the team what I’m capable of doing.”
Fournette says he understands the push by the coaches to give the younger players more opportunities especially late season after not meeting expectations.
Last season, the Jaguars led the NFL in rushing with a 169.9 per game average. After 14 games this season, they rank 19th with a 111.9 per game average.
“Giving other guys opportunities to show their talents, no matter what goes on right now we’re still family,” Fournette said.