The Jaguars will once again be without Evan Engram but they'll get a couple of players back for their Week 4 matchup against the Texans.
The Jacksonville Jaguars face an uphill battle to get out of the 0-3 hole they dug themselves into this season. Next on their schedule are the Houston Texans. Coming out on top won't be easy but having a couple of players back for the matchup will increase the Jags' chances of leaving NRG Stadium with with a win.
Jacksonville will probably be getting reinforcements on defense for the divisional contest. Defensive end Darnell Savage and linebacker Devin Lloyd are listed as questionable in the final injury report but there's a strong chance both of them will suit up.
Regarding Savage, head coach Doug Pederson says that he's experienced ups and downs ahead of the game. However, he expressed optimism earlier this week about the defensive back's chances of returning to the lineup after missing the past two bouts.
"We'll see yesterday was a good day, wasn't a great day" Pederson said. "We'll see where he's at today, how he feels. Try to give him, move him around again, give him one more day possible."
When it comes to Lloyd, Pederson says he's had soreness on his knee but is good to go against the Texans. On the other hand, tight end Evan Engram won't suit up and will stay in Jacksonville while the team flies to Houston. The silver lining is that he's close to getting back onto the football field.
"He might be right here in Jacksonville," Pederson told the local media Friday. "No, he's doing well, I doubt he'll be able to make this game again. With a hamstring like that, they're finicky. Let's call it that, so be a long shot."
Earlier this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media noted that Foyesade Oluokun is dealing with plantar fasciitis and will miss several weeks while he recovers. Thus, his inclusion on the injury report isn't a surprise.
The silver lining is that the veteran linebacker won't land on the Injured Reserve list, so he probably won't sit out more than four games. In his place, sophomore Ventrell Miller will tentatively start next to Lloyd in Week 4.
The Jaguars also listed wide receiver Gabe Davis and cornerback Jarrian Jones as questionable on the injury report. Both of them are trending toward playing but it wouldn't be shocking if they ultimately sit out the game.
On the opposite sideline, the Texans have ruled out wide receiver Tank Dell, running back Dameon Pierce, and safety Jimmy Ward. Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and running back Joe Mixon got the questionable designation.
Dell is dealing with a rib injury and he wasn't likely to play, so it's not surprising news that he'll miss Week 4. On the other hand, Nico Collins was limited in practice with a hamstring injury but says he's good to go.
The Jaguars must find a way to beat the Texans without Foyesade Oluokun and Evan Engram
Foyesade Oluokun and Evan Engram are key contributors for the Jacksonville Jaguars, so it's fair to say that they would have better odds of beating the Houston Texans with them in the fold. That said, the team has a pair of capable replacements for them in Ventrell Miller and Brenton Strange, respectively.
Miller, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, was a standout at Florida but injuries made him slide. He suffered an Achilles tear that ended his rookie season before it started. However, he's done enough in 2024 to make you think that he'll make the most of his opportunity when Jacksonville faces the Texans.
Strange, on the other hand, has filled in for Engram since he suffered a hamstring injury during warmups in Week 2. The past two games, the former Penn State Nittany Lion has caught five receptions for 77 yards, and the Jaguars will need to be a dependable target if they want to be able to move the ball.
Ideally, the Jaguars would be healthy for Week 4 but injuries are an inherent part of football. The best teams manage to overcome them. They'll need to against the Texans if they want to put an end to their three-game losing skid.
