The winless Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) head to Houston this week to take on their AFC South rivals, the 2-1 Houston Texans, in a pivotal matchup at NRG Stadium. Despite their struggles, the Jaguars are hoping to secure their first win of the season, but they’ll be doing so as 6.5-point underdogs with the game’s over/under set at 45.5. To make matters worse, the team will be without one of its defensive leaders, Foyesade Oluokun, who has been sidelined with a significant injury.
Jaguars Lose Leading Tackler Foyesade Oluokun to Injury
#Jaguars standout LB Foye Oluokun is expected to miss several weeks as he deals with plantar fasciitis, per sources.
No surgery needed and not a worst-case scenario. But Jacksonville is 0-3 and now will be without one of its best players for at least a few games. pic.twitter.com/egWiOQxHpp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 24, 2024
Oluokun , the Jaguars’ leading tackler, suffered a foot injury during Jacksonville’s Monday night loss to the Buffalo Bills. The linebacker was forced to exit the game in the second quarter and did not return. Initial reports suggested Oluokun was dealing with plantar fasciitis, an injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
Tests confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday, and while head coach Doug Pederson initially downplayed the severity, saying on Wednesday, “I don’t think so, not at this point,” in response to whether Oluokun would be placed on injured reserve, the team ultimately changed course. By Friday, Jacksonville had officially placed Oluokun on IR, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. The earliest the star linebacker can return is Week 8, when the Jaguars face the Green Bay Packers.
Next Man Up: Ventrell Miller
With Oluokun out, the Jaguars will turn to second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller to fill the void. Miller missed his entire rookie season after suffering an Achilles injury in the 2023 preseason but returned in time for OTAs this year and earned a spot on the 53-man roster.
Head coach Doug Pederson expressed confidence in the young linebacker, saying, “He’s done really well. He’s gotten valuable snaps. Played good the other night, played physical. Obviously, there’s some things we can clean up, but he’s really done a nice job.”
While Miller has shown promise, filling the shoes of a player like Oluokun, who has been a cornerstone of the defense, will be no easy task. Miller’s performance will be key as Jacksonville looks to turn their season around and avoid slipping to 0-4.
Jaguars Announce Four Roster Moves, Place LB Foyesade Oluokun On Injured Reserve https://t.co/BIqssKgprQ
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) September 28, 2024
What’s Next for the Jaguars?
With Oluokun out and several questions surrounding the team’s early-season performance, the Jaguars face a tough road ahead. Their defense, which has struggled to find consistency, will be tested against a Texans team that has shown flashes of potential under rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Jaguars will need a complete team effort to secure their first win and start clawing their way back in the division.
As the Jaguars take the field this Sunday, all eyes will be on their defense and how they manage without their leading tackler. Can Ventrell Miller rise to the occasion and help Jacksonville reverse its fortunes? The answer may come down to whether the Jaguars can rally despite their injury setbacks.
