CINCINNATI, Ohio – Jeremiah George's first NFL defensive snap will come in his first NFL start.
George, a rookie from Iowa State, will start at middle linebacker for the Jaguars against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced 90 minutes before kickoff Sunday. With George starting, J.T. Thomas will return to the Otto position.
The Jaguars also made left tackle Luke Joeckel active for the Cincinnati game. He had been expected to play, having practiced full Friday after missing Wednesday with a concussion sustained the previous Sunday in a loss to Miami.
Joeckel will start against Cincinnati.
Thomas, a starter at the Otto linebacker spot in Weeks 4-7, started at middle linebacker last week with Paul Posluszny having been placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury. Dekoda Watson, the starter at Otto last week, was deactivated Sunday with a hamstring injury.
George signed with the Jaguars from the New York Jets' practice squad September 23.
The Jaguars announced seven inactives 90 minutes before kickoff, with wide receiver Mike Brown deactivated along with Watson, running back Storm Johnson, guard Tyler Shatley, defensive end Andre Branch, cornerback Will Blackmon and offensive tackle Sam Young.
