Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ push for a playoff spot has hit a unexpected hurdle: key award-winning players on both offense and defense have recently been sidelined by injuries, forcing the team to adjust its strategy and lean on depth. These players—who have earned recognition for their standout performances this season—are not just statistical leaders; they’re emotional cores of the team, and their absence raises questions about how the Jaguars will maintain their momentum. From a Pro Bowl defensive end to a All-Pro linebacker, each injury requires a quick response, whether it’s shuffling the lineup, simplifying schemes, or calling on backups to step into larger roles. Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just about reporting injuries; it’s about exploring how a team navigates adversity when its most decorated talents are off the field.

Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins with defensive end Josh Allen, a 2023 Pro Bowl selection, who suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain during practice ahead of the Jaguars’ Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Allen, who leads the team with 10 sacks and 18 quarterback hits this season, was injured while running a pass-rushing drill—an injury that’s expected to keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. His absence is a major blow to the Jaguars’ pass rush, which ranks 12th in the NFL with 36 sacks. Allen’s ability to beat offensive tackles with speed and power has been a cornerstone of the defense, and his knack for forcing turnovers (he has 2 forced fumbles this season) has changed the outcome of multiple games. “Josh is irreplaceable in a lot of ways,” defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said in a press conference. “He’s not just a pass rusher—he’s a leader on the field, someone the other guys look up to. We’ll need multiple players to step up and fill that gap while he’s out.” The Jaguars plan to rotate defensive ends Arden Key and K’Lavon Chaisson in Allen’s spot, with Key taking on most of the pass-rushing snaps.

A second award-winning player facing injury concerns in Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars is linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, a 2023 Second-Team All-Pro, who is dealing with a knee sprain sustained in the Jaguars’ Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Oluokun, who leads the NFL with 142 tackles (28 more than the next closest player), also has 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble this season. He’s the heart of the Jaguars’ run defense, which allows just 115 yards per game, and his ability to cover tight ends in pass coverage makes him a versatile weapon. The knee sprain is not considered severe—Oluokun practiced on a limited basis this week—but it’s a reminder of the physical toll of his position. “Foyesade plays with so much intensity every snap, so it’s no surprise he’s dealing with a little wear and tear,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “We’re being cautious with him because we need him at full strength down the stretch. He’s the kind of player who wants to be out there every play, but we have to balance that with his long-term health.” The Jaguars have linebacker Devin Lloyd ready to step in if Oluokun needs to miss time, though Lloyd’s skill set is more focused on pass coverage than run stopping.

Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars also includes safety Andre Cisco, a 2023 Pro Bowl alternate, who is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head during the Jaguars’ Week 15 game against the Colts. Cisco, who has 4 interceptions (tied for 5th in the NFL) and 7 pass breakups this season, is a key part of the Jaguars’ secondary—especially in deep coverage. His ability to read quarterbacks and jump routes has shut down some of the league’s top wide receivers, and his leadership in the secondary has helped the Jaguars rank 8th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (215 per game). Being in concussion protocol means Cisco will miss at least one game, and his return depends on how quickly he progresses through the league’s mandatory steps. “Andre’s health is our top priority,” defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend said. “He’s a smart player who makes everyone around him better, but we can’t rush him back from a concussion. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this means we’ll need safety Rayshawn Jenkins to take on more of a playcalling role in the secondary, and we’ll likely call up practice squad safety Jarrick Bernard-Converse to add depth.” Jenkins, who has 68 tackles and 2 interceptions this season, has played alongside Cisco all year and is familiar with the defense’s schemes.

Another award-winning player dealing with injury in Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars is offensive tackle Cam Robinson, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, who is recovering from a ankle injury that kept him out of the Jaguars’ Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Robinson, who has started all 13 games he’s played in this season, is the anchor of the Jaguars’ offensive line—protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side and opening holes for running back Travis Etienne. His absence in Week 14 was noticeable: the Jaguars allowed 4 sacks (their most in a single game this season) and rushed for just 89 yards (well below their season average of 120). Robinson returned to practice this week on a limited basis, but Pederson said the team will monitor his workload to avoid reaggravating the injury. “Cam is the foundation of our offensive line,” Pederson said. “When he’s out, it changes how we call plays—we have to be more careful with Trevor’s protection, and we can’t rely as much on the run game. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, having him back healthy is crucial if we want to make a playoff push. We’re taking it day by day with him, but he’s making good progress.” Backup offensive tackle Walker Little filled in for Robinson in Week 14, but Little struggled against the Bengals’ pass rush, allowing 2 sacks.

Finally, Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars wraps up with how the Jaguars are adapting to these injuries—and why their depth will be tested in the final weeks of the season. The team’s front office has spent the past two offseasons building depth, signing veterans like Key and Jenkins and drafting young players like Lloyd and Little to fill in when starters are injured. These injuries are a test of that strategy, and early signs suggest the Jaguars are up to the challenge: the defense held the Colts to 17 points in Week 15 (with Oluokun playing through his knee sprain), and the offense bounced back in Week 16 to score 31 points against the Buccaneers (even with Allen sidelined). “Injuries are part of the NFL, and we’ve prepared for this,” Pederson said. “We have players who are ready to step up, and we have schemes that can adapt to different lineups. The key is staying focused and not letting these setbacks derail our momentum.” For the award-winning players, the goal is to return as soon as possible—but they’re also trusting their teammates to keep the team on track. “I hate being on the sidelines, but I know the guys have this,” Allen said. “We’ve built a team that’s more than just one player, and this is a chance to show that.” Award-Winning Players Face Injury News for the Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately reveals that while injuries to star players are challenging, they also offer an opportunity for a team to grow—proving that success isn’t just about individual talent, but about the collective strength of the roster. For the Jaguars, that strength could be the difference between a playoff spot and a missed opportunity.