JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars on Wednesday practiced at the Miller Electric Center.
The Jaguars (12-4) will play the Tennessee Titans (3-13) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday in a 2025 Week 18 game. A look at Wednesday around the Jaguars – with quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaking to the media after practice:
Head Coach Liam Coen didn't hold his weekly Wednesday media availability due to illness. He attended practice in the afternoon and spoke to the team.
"He spoke to us at the end of practice," defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. "He let us know he's OK. For him to come back, be present at practice and be vocal as well and let us know he's OK, it speaks volumes."
The Jaguars have been dealing with illness in recent weeks, with right tackle Anton Harrison among multiple players playing through symptoms in a road victory over the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. Said Hines-Allen: "it feels like half the team is under the weather."
"It's kind of running through the locker room right now," Hines-Allen said. "That just speaks to the type of team we have. Regardless of how we feel, we still have a job to do and we still have to execute at a high level."
The Jaguars on Wednesday released their first of three injury reports for the week, with starting right guard Patrick Mekari missing practice with a back injury and Harrison missing practice with an illness.
Mekari missed Sunday's victory over the Colts with the injury and Harrison played after being announced as questionable the morning of that game with the illness.
Rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten practiced full Wednesday after missing the last two games with a finger injury. Starting defensive tackle Arik Armstead (finger) and linebacker Yasir Abdullah (back) also were listed as practicing full Wednesday.
Six Jaguars players were listed as practicing limited: Starting left guard Ezra Cleveland (shoulder), starting center Robert Hainsey (groin), rookie defensive end Danny Striggow (ankle), rookie linebacker Jalen McLeod (ankle), starting cornerback Montaric Brown (neck) and starting cornerback Greg Newsome II (shoulder).
Hainsey missed the victory over the Colts with the injury and Striggow has missed the last two games. The Jaguars opened McLeod's 21-day window to return from injured reserve two weeks ago.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence this season has rushed for a career-high nine touchdowns this season, and he has rushed for at least 20 yards in nine of the last 12 games. He has had a run of 10 or more yards in 10 games this season and has 348 yards and 39 first downs rushing.
Lawrence on Wednesday said he is getting through progressions more quickly, enabling him to know when to run. He also praised the offensive line for blocking well and allowing lanes when coverage forces him to run.
"That's a big part of it," he said. "A lot of times the reason you're able to extend these plays is protection is great. You find lanes and these guys have done a great job of being sticky in their blocks and I've been able to have escape routes – whether it's outside or inside."
Lawrence added of potentially reaching 10 rushing touchdowns for the season, "I'll take another one. That would be great. It's not a goal I set for myself, but if we need that to win on Sunday, that would be cool."
Next Up in the 'Bank
The Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 at EverBank Stadium. The team will close out the regular season in their Prowler throwback uniforms.
Titans quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, has 15 touchdowns passing with seven interceptions this season – with eight touchdowns passing with one interception in four games since the Jaguars' 25-3 Week 13 victory over the Titans in Nashville. The Titans are 2-2 in those games.
"I'd say he's a lot more confident," Hines-Allen said. "He's doing a lot of the same things he did before. He's a good player. He makes a lot of good plays. He can make plays in the pocket and can make plays outside the pocket and he can find the receiver. He has proven that.
"Each week, one or two plays stand out and you go, 'Whoa, that's a great play. That's a great ball.' Shout out to him. He's progressing the way he's supposed to.''
Said safety Eric Murray, "He definitely looks more confident with where he's going with the ball. His game is starting to fit his skillset." …
The Jaguars with a victory Sunday not only can clinch their second AFC South title in four seasons – their third South title overall – they can set their franchise record for victories in the South in a season with five.
