MEYER, KHAN MEET AFTER SHUTOUT
Coach Urban Meyer and team owner Shad Khan had a one-on-one meeting following Jacksonville’s fifth consecutive loss, a 20-0 shutout at Tennessee on Sunday.
This session may have taken a different tone given how poorly the Jaguars (2-11) have played the last seven weeks and all that’s been said about the team in the last seven days.
“I assured him that
I still believe in my heart that we will (turn this around),” Meyer said. “How fast? That depends on. I still think there’s good pieces.”
Meyer pointed out how well Jacksonville’s defense played (263 yards allowed) but failed to mention it came against a Tennessee team without its top two playmakers: running back Derrick Henry and receiver A.J.
Brown.
The other side of the ball was a complete debacle, with rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing four interceptions for the first time in his life. Running back James Robinson ran six times for a career-low 4 yards.
Jacksonville’s offensive line was downright embarrassed, giving up three sacks and countless pressures, getting flagged four times for holding, and getting penalized for a false start.
Adding insult to misery, receivers Laviska Shenault and Laquon Treadwell collided because one of them ran the wrong route late in the game.
“I was laughing, to be honest,” Titans safety Kevin Byard said. “At the end of the game, guys running into each other? I don’t want to say too much on it, but I was talking trash to them a little bit. It’s tough for them boys over there.”
The Jaguars finished with 192 yards, the third time this season they’ve been held under the 200-yard mark. That’s never happened in franchise history.
“We’re just not playing well,” Lawrence said. “I got to accept all the blame for what I did. I didn’t play well. I take that on the chin. We’re going to keep getting better and keep going to work. That’s all there is to do. The season’s not over yet.”
Ravens’ Jackson in boot
Baltimore star quarterback Lamar Jackson left the stadium in a protective boot after spraining his right ankle in Sunday’s road loss to the Browns, a concerning sight for a banged-up team trying to hold on to the AFC North lead.
Coach John Harbaugh said Jackson will undergo further tests today. He was unwilling to speculate on the severity of the injury or how long Jackson could be sidelined.
“We’ll see how it responds,” Harbaugh said. The Ravens (8-5) host the Packers next Sunday.
Jackson was hurt when rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah hit him low while throwing a pass on the first play of the second quarter.
Jackson limped off the field under his own power before being examined in the sideline medical tent. When he emerged, Jackson wasn’t able to put any weight on his leg while getting into the front seat of a cart for the short drive to the locker room.
The 2019 NFL MVP has struggled recently, throwing six interceptions in his past three games. He was replaced by Tyler Huntley.
More injuries
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was checked for a concussion and cleared in the third quarter against the Ravens. Backup Case Keenum replaced him for one play. Browns running back Kareem Hunt hurt his left ankle while the Ravens also lost defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thigh) and wide receiver Tylan Wallace (concussion).
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke was knocked out of a loss to Dallas with an injured left knee but said afterward he “should be fine.” Heinicke also said his throwing elbow got tweaked when a defender grabbed it. “If he’s healthy, he’s our starter,” coach Ron Rivera said of Heinicke.
Seattle cornerback Gavin Heslop was carted off the field with a left leg injury late in the fourth quarter of a victory at Houston. Coach Pete Carroll said the injury was serious and Heslop was expected to spend the night in Houston.