The Jaguars are getting some help this week. With a 2-7 record and sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, making a playoff push in 2024 seems unlikely.
However, with injuries affecting the team, Jacksonville will take all the reinforcements they can get. This week, safety Andrew Wingard and return specialist Devin Duvernay will be activated from injured reserve to provide a boost.
The team knew Wingard would be out for a while after he hurt his knee during training camp. At that time, the Jaguars were deciding between Antonio Johnson and Terrell Edmunds for the starting safety position next to Andre Cisco.
Edmunds ended up on the practice squad and was later re-signed by the Steelers, his former team. Johnson and Darnell Savage have since stepped in to fill the starting safety spot.
Wingard isn’t a full-time starter, but he has started 26 games in his five years with the Jaguars, including 15 games in 2021. While he’s not expected to change the game on his own, his return gives the defense some much-needed depth.
The Jaguars’ defense has struggled, ranking 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, and 31st in passing yards allowed, so any extra help is important.
Duvernay’s role is focused entirely on special teams. Although he contributed as a receiver in Baltimore, he has had limited involvement in the Jaguars’ offense in his first year with the team. Despite missing the last four games, Duvernay still leads the team in combined kickoff and punt returns, with 12 total returns.
While Duvernay has been out, the Jaguars may have found someone who can take on the return duties. Parker Washington, a sixth-round pick from last year, has impressed in the return game. He had a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown, which boosted his yardage and average per return above Duvernay’s numbers.
On kick returns, both Washington and running back Tank Bigsby are averaging more yards per return than Duvernay, though Bigsby might not be an option if Travis Etienne’s recent injuries keep him from playing.
The Jaguars have a lot of work ahead if they want to make a comeback this season. With injuries still a concern, having players return to health and add depth will be crucial for the team moving forward.
