JACKSONVILLE – Preparation and depth have been critical to the Jaguars this season. They just got more important.
With two key defensive starters – defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray – out for the season, the AFC South-leading Jaguars' resilience in adversity will be tested when they play the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Thursday.
They have been ready for this before. They must be ready again.
"That's first the players – their mentality, the next-man-up approach, and just being ready to go at all times," Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile said Tuesday.
Jacksonville has turned to its depth on defense already this season, with second-year safety Rayuan Lane III playing during a string of injuries in Weeks 4 and 5. Lane's late tackle clinched a Week 4 road victory at Cincinnati, a game Lane entered after an early injury at safety.
Lane responded similarly in a 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday, playing after Murray sustained an elbow injury on the opening kickoff and returning an interception 92 yards for a touchdown late in the first half.
"I was fired up for him," Campanile said of Lane, who also registered three pass breakups and a quarterback hit against the Colts. "He did a great job communicating. It happened Play One, so he was right in there.
"He has kind of been through that before, but he did a great job the other day and we all felt he would and [were] pleased with the job that he did, so I was excited for him."
The Jaguars now have two safeties – Murray and second-year veteran Caleb Ransaw – on injured reserve, with safety Antonio Johnson missing the Colts game with an ankle injury. Johnson was listed as limited in practice Monday and Tuesday.
The Jaguars currently have three healthy safeties: Lane, rookie Jalen Huskey and Kaevon Merriweather.
"It's huge because you never know what's going to happen," Lane said Tuesday. "That's why we really have to attack practice hard, we have to communicate with each other. We have to do all those little things because you never know when your name might be called.
"When it is called, you know you could really be the one to make the play that changes it for the team or whatever it might be. So, it's really important just to stay ready."
The Jaguars' defensive line, particularly the interior, faces a similar situation with Hamilton – who sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury after 11 snaps Sunday – also placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. Hamilton has been critical to the Jaguars' league-leading run defense, with seventh-year veteran Matt Dickerson expected to play a key role moving forward.
"We have all the faith and trust in Dicky to do what he needs to do up front," Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allensaid. "The style of play does not change no matter who you are. We still believe everybody we put in that situation."
Hines-Allen added of the run defense without Hamilton, "There are [outside] expectations that it's going to drop, it's going to fall. I don't think it is. We love [Hamilton]. We miss him. Whoever's in that situation is going to do the best they can to make big plays.
"That's the expectation he (Hamilton) has for those guys. That's the expectation those guys have for themselves."
Other defensive tackles on the Jaguars' roster: Twelve-year veteran Arik Armstead, third-year veteran Ruke Orhorhoro and rookie Albert Regis. Defensive tackles Austin Johnsonand T.J. Bollers are on the practice squad.
"From the start of [organized team activities in the offseason] all the way through training camp, a lot of us have just been preparing and playing all these different positions at multiple reps at doing it," Dickerson said. "In practice, I don't think people realize how hard we go and how many reps we get at all these different positions.
"When we're put in a position, it's nothing new. We're looking forward to it."
NOTABLE
The Jaguars on Tuesday released the second of three injury reports for the week, with running back Bhayshul Tuten listed as not practicing for a second consecutive day with a foot/ankle injury. Defensive end Travon Walker was listed as practicing limited after being listed as not participating in practice Monday. Six players practiced limited for a second consecutive day: Guard Ezra Cleveland (knee/ankle), linebacker Branson Combs (shoulder), Johnson, cornerback Jarrian Jones (ankle), wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (hamstring/ankle) and running back Chris Rodriguez (hand).
