JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars on Wednesday practiced at the Miller Electric Center.
The AFC South-leading Jaguars (10-4) will play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (12-2) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Col., Sunday in a 2025 Week 16 game. A look at Wednesday around the Jaguars – with Head Coach Liam Coen speaking to the media before practice and quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaking to the media after practice:
He's hot, and that's how it feels for Lawrence.
The fifth-year veteran on Wednesday was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the latest of the best 3-game stretch of his career for the player the Jaguars selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lawrence passed for 5 touchdowns and ran for another in a 48-20 victory over the New York Jets Sunday, and has passed for 9 touchdowns with 0 interceptions in the last 3 games. He has had his first 3 100-plus passer rating games of the season in those 3 games.
"I feel like I'm seeing it really well," said Lawrence, who has 23 passing touchdowns with 11 interceptions this season. "I think I'm throwing it well. It's never about one guy. I think as an offense, we're really synced up right now, especially in the passing game and protecting up front. You can't do anything without that. Those guys have done an awesome job, and guys are making a ton of plays down the field.
"We all have a lot of confidence in what we're doing. It feels like it is coming out good. Guys are making plays, we're trusting each other and it has been fun…."
The Jaguars on Wednesday released the first of 3 injury reports for the week, with starting defensive end Josh Hines-Allen missing practice with a shoulder/illness and rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten missing with a finger injury.
Tuten reportedly will miss multiple game. He has rushed for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns on 78 carries this season, with 10 receptions for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns.
He has returned 19 kickoffs for a 28.4-yard average.
Rookie defensive end Danny Striggow missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. Left tackle Walker Little practiced full Wednesday after missing the last 2 games with a concussion, and starting defensive tackle Arik Armstead (hand) practiced full. Starting defensive end Travon Walker (knee) also practiced full.
Practicing limited for the Jaguars Wednesday: Starting left guard Ezra Cleveland (shoulder) and rookie linebacker Jalen McCleod (ankle). The Jaguars opened McLeod's 21-day window to return from injured reserve Tuesday.
Tuten's injury likely will mean an increased role for rookie LeQuint Allen Jr., who has rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries this season with 10 receptions for 54 yards. A seventh-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, he has returned 19 kickoffs for 486 yards and has been the Jaguars' best back in pass protection.
"We've obviously trusted LeQuint for a long time since he's got here to help us – whether it was in pass protection, special teams," Coen said. "Then when he has gotten carries, he runs violently and is taking care of the football. Excited about that and fully just anticipate him stepping into that role and being able to execute for us."
Said Lawrence of Allen "Every time he has got an opportunity with the ball, he has done something with it. He's doing a great job, so I know he is going to be prepared, and he's going to take this opportunity, run with it and play well. I have no doubt about that."
The Jaguars on Tuesday signed running back DeeJay Dallas, who has rushed for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns on 122 career carries in 6 NFL seasons. He also has returned 83 kickoffs for 2,074 yards – a 25.0-yard return average – and a touchdown.
"That was something that we looked at for the return game," Coen said, adding that Dallas is "a veteran that played in football games and knows how to go handle atmospheres like this. I've only heard good things about him, so look forward to getting him onboarded."
Dallas, who played collegiately at Miami, is a native of Brunswick., Ga. – about 60 miles north of Jacksonville – and played at Glynn Academy.
"I'm so happy," Dallas said. "I was at a loss for words, honestly. It's a blessing to truly just finally be here playing for the team you watched and rooted for growing up."
Added Dallas, "I told them, 'I'll do whatever.' I don't care about how many reps I get, what I have to do. I just want to win. Coming here to a winning team and a team that has playoff aspirations and is looking to make a run, I'll do whatever."
