JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars on Friday practiced at the Miller Electric Center.
The Jaguars (5-4) will play the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) at EverBank Stadium Sunday in a 2025 Week 11 game. A look at Friday around the Jaguars – with Head Coach Liam Coen speaking to the media for the final time before Sunday:
Coen likes the Jaguars' approach.
With a major theme this week around the MEC being how the Jaguars will respond Sunday to a difficult loss to the Houston Texans last week, the first-year head coach on Friday said he liked the overall attitude and mood in recent days.
"A lot of the guys were itching," Coen said. "They wanted to go full speed, to get some of that taste out and to cut it loose."
Coen called the mood "a little quieter the first few days" of the week.
"It wasn't as rah-rah during the week," Coen said. "Wednesday [practice] was more jog, so we didn't do a ton full-speed. When we got out there [Thursday], with the pads on, they practiced hard. You felt a little bit of a buzz. You felt intentionality at practice.
"Quiet sometimes is OK. I'm sure there's still some 'ticked off.' It's OK to be ticked off as long as the way we approach practice and the way we approach this game is rooted in, 'Never again.'
"If we can use it as motivation, a learning moment – and that's how practice was [Thursday] in some ways, I thought – I thought it was good."
The Jaguars on Friday released the third of three injury reports for the week, with four players – right tackle Anton Harrison (knee/ankle), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (neck), tight end Brenton Strange (hip) and tight end Hunter Long (hip/knee)– ruled out for Sunday's game.
Starting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) was listed as questionable Friday after missing the loss to the Texans.
The following Jaguars players were listed with no status Friday, meaning they are expected to be available Sunday: Starting right guard Ezra Cleveland (knee/ankle), punter Logan Cooke (groin), linebacker Dennis Gardeck (chest), starting center Robert Hainsey (groin), rookie linebacker Jack Kiser (shoulder), starting guard Patrick Mekari (knee), linebacker Ventrell Miller (back), rookie guard Wyatt Milum (knee), cornerback Greg Newsome (shoulder) and starting wide receiver Parker Washington (hamstring).
Coen called the long injury report this week "all part of an NFL season."
"A lot of teams have gone through it, not just us," he said. "It's part of it. Ultimately, Sunday's coming."
Coen on Friday lauded veteran offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, who with Harrison out could start Sunday at tackle opposite Walker Little.
"Very pleased with Cole – the whole season," Coen said. "He came in multiple instances and helped us either get through games or started games. I have a ton of faith in Cole stepping in if he has to and continue to keep playing at a high level for us. I've been very pleased with Cole."
Coen on Friday expressed confidence in players such as veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and others who have played well this season while playing extensively in place of injured starters.
"We have a group of guys who that's important to, who have that next-man up mentality," Coen said.
Coen on Friday called stopping the Chargers' running game Sunday important – not just to limit that area, but to put a struggling pass rush in better situations. The Jaguars enter Sunday tied for last in the NFL with 12 sacks.
"For the most part all year, we've done a solid job [against the run]," Coen said. "It is so critical this week for us to be able to stop the run against these guys so we can get our [pass-rushing opportunities]. We have to make third down a lot harder than it has been the last few weeks.
"Third down has been way too three to five than seven to nine. It starts on third down."
