JACKSONVILLE – This is about as healthy as it gets in mid-November.
The Jaguars expected to be in that situation coming out of last week's 2019 bye week, and they indeed are strikingly close to full health entering this weekend.
Seth DeValve, the team's most productive tight end in recent weeks, was the lone Jaguars player listed on the final injury report of the week Friday. He was listed as doubtful with an oblique injury for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
"Week to week you've got to keep doing a good job, but obviously we're in a pretty good place as far as health," Head Coach Doug Marrone said.
DeValve, claimed off waivers by the Jaguars shortly before the regular season, has six receptions for 68 yards over the last four games.
Eight other players – wide receiver Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder), cornerback D.J. Hayden (neck/shoulder), linebacker Leon Jacobs (hamstring), linebacker Quincy Williams (hamstring), safety Ronnie Harrison (eye), center Brandon Linder (shoulder), left tackle Cam Robinson (knee) and defensive end Calais Campbell (back) were listed as practicing limited throughout this past week.
All eight were removed from the report Friday and are expected to play. Hayden, Jacobs, Williams and Westbrook all missed the team's final game before last week's bye week.
Nick Foles is expected to start at quarterback for the Jaguars Sunday, marking his first start since sustaining a broken clavicle Week 1 against Kansas City. Foles signed as an unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia last March.
Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II went 4-4 as a starter in Foles' absence. Foles returned to practice three weeks ago, which Marrone said has helped the team and Foles prepare for his return to playing.
"The 21-day window that you have is really a smart and a good thing," Marrone said, referring to an NFL rule allowing players on short-term injured reserve to practice for 21 days before being moved to the active roster. "If a guy is ready right away, that's fine, but we were able take him from when he first came on the field and just really progress it."
Marrone also said Foles' presence around the team since the injury eased his transition back into the starting lineup.
"It's a position that communicates obviously more than any other position on the field," Foles said. "Nick did a great job after the injury. He was in the building even though he wasn't on the field early [in the season]. He was in the locker room. He's around the players. He's supporting everyone. Then getting to the team this week, it was very smooth. …
"Remember: He's been in that huddle more times calling plays from when we started – back in OTAs (organized team activities), in minicamp and training camp – than anyone else. I don't want to say it's like riding a bike, because that would be unfair. You still have to go out there and perform. But we've done everything we can to get him ready to perform."
Also, Marrone said he addressed the end of Thursday's Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers game with the team Friday morning. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett on Friday was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for removing Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and swinging the helmet at Rudolph late in the game.
"We addressed it this morning, absolutely," Marrone said.
