JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' interior defense will be a bit short-handed Thursday.
That's because for the first time this season they will be without their best run-defending interior defensive lineman.
Roy Miller, a veteran nose tackle key to the Jaguars' run defense, will miss the Jaguars' prime-time, nationally-televised game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday with a sprained knee. Look for second-year veteran Abry Jones to start in place of Miller.
Miller (6-feet-2, 310 pounds), a six-year veteran, has started 28 of a possible 30 games since joining the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in the 2013 offseason. He played through a labrum injury much of last season before being placed on injured reserve with two games remaining in the season. His teammates on the defensive line often credit him with being key to the running game.
Miller, who signed a four-year contract extension Tuesday, was among seven players made inactive by the Jaguars 90 minutes before kickoff with the others being guard Tyler Shatley, wide receiver Tommy Streeter, defensive end Andre Branch, cornerback Jeremy Harris, cornerback Teddy Williams and safety Matt Daniels.
Jones, active for eight games as a rookie and all 14 this season, never has started an NFL game, but he has played 287 plays this season with Miller playing 492.
Miller sustained the injury in a loss to Baltimore last Sunday. He was listed as being unable to practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
