The Jacksonville Jaguars have released their second injury report for Week 17, which highlights a concerning list of players still dealing with injuries. Offensive tackle Walker Little (ankle), linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle), safety Darnell Savage (concussion), and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (illness) were all marked as non-participants for the second consecutive day. Head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday that Little will miss the final two games due to his ankle injury, which means Cole Van Lanen will step in to take his place on the field. Pederson expressed confidence in Van Lanen, noting that he had a solid preseason and has performed well in previous fill-in opportunities, making this a good chance for him to prove himself.
In the event that Savage is unable to play, Pederson also mentioned that veteran safety Andrew Wingard could be called upon to start. Wingard had been expected to play a starting role in Week 1 but was sidelined due to a knee injury suffered during training camp, causing him to miss the first half of the season. Pederson acknowledged Wingard’s progress, saying that while his understanding of the defense and his health were factors, it was unfortunate that Wingard missed so much time due to the injury. However, Pederson is encouraged by Wingard’s performance in recent weeks and is excited to see him get more playing time in the final games of the season. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen echoed Pederson’s sentiments, expressing that Wingard had been part of the team’s original plan and had impressed during camp before his injury. Nielsen praised Wingard for his high energy and physicality, adding that it was great to see him back on the field.
In addition to the players listed as non-participants, the injury report also noted a few limited participants on Thursday, including tight end Brenton Strange and offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff. The status of these players remains uncertain, but the Jaguars’ injury report paints a picture of a team that is dealing with several key absences as they prepare for their next matchup. As the season winds down, the Jaguars will have to adjust and make do with the personnel available, and the next few games could prove critical in determining their playoff fate.
