JACKSONVILLE – A.J. Bouye knows the circumstances and knows they're not good.
The Jaguars have struggled in recent weeks. What a month ago was a season with hope now appears in peril. But the veteran cornerback said that doesn't mean the season is over.
He also said players haven't given up on the season.
"There's no quit in us," Bouye said Tuesday as the Jaguars (4-7) prepared to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) at TIAA Bank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
Bouye spoke specifically of a defense that has allowed more than 200 yards rushing in each of the last three games, with the Jaguars losing all three games by at least 20 points to AFC South opponents: Houston (26-3), Indianapolis (33-13) and Tennessee (42-20).
But Bouye also spoke of an entire locker room that remains focused on squeezing as much as possible from the season's last five games.
"The energy hasn't changed," Bouye said. "You see we're still having fun in here. There's not much we can control. It's just how we respond."
Second-year wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. said he has a different feeling from the team than last season when the Jaguars lost 10 of their final 12 games after a 3-1 start.
"Last year at this time it was tough coming in every day and practicing," Chark said. "The difference is this year is we know we're talented. We obviously have to put it together. The last two games we haven't been able to do that. … We just know we have the talent. We know we have the pieces to win games, and that's what we're going to do."
The Jaguars throughout the three-game losing streak have played competitively in the first half before struggling in the third quarter. They have been outscored 52-8 in the third quarter during that span – 10-0 by Houston, 14-0 by Indianapolis and 28-8 by Tennessee.
"I don't necessarily have the answer, but I know we're going to get it together," Chark said. "I just feel like that's what's going to happen. Everybody in this locker room believes. We understand what happened the last three games.
"After the first two games, we had an idea. But after this game, seeing we came out flat two games in a row and the result … we're going to fix that."
Also around the Jaguars Tuesday:
*Eight Jaguars players missed practice with injuries: safety Ronnie Harrison (concussion), defensive end Josh Allen (knee), linebacker Myles Jack (knee), linebacker Najee Goode (knee), center Brandon Linder (shoulder), tight end Seth DeValve (oblique), defensive end Calais Campbell (back) and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (knee). Harrison, Allen, Jack, Goode and Smoot sustained injuries at Tennessee Sunday. Campbell and Linder are typically out or limited during the week's first practice, and DeValve has missed the last two games with his oblique injury. Marrone said he will have a better idea about the status of injured players Friday. The week's first injury report was issued Tuesday – a day earlier than usual – because the Jaguars shifted the practice schedule to allow players off Thursday for Thanksgiving rather than the normal Tuesday off day. Also, linebacker Jake Ryan remains on the reserve/non-football injury list; this will be his third week practicing with the team after being out since the beginning of training camp with a knee injury. …
*Head Coach Doug Marrone, holding his weekly mid-week availability Tuesday instead of Wednesday because of the schedule change, was asked about his message to fans considering the three-game losing streak. "When you get up here, and you talk I'm upset, too – and I'm pissed," Marrone said. "I don't the fans and the sponsors and everyone around to be, 'What the hell's going on with this guy? Why is he so positive?' No. It is what it is. We've got to fight our way through this. We're pissed. It's disappointing.'' Marrone also was asked if fan perception during a losing streak was something he discussed with players. "I've always felt when you become the head coach it's so much more than just leading the team," Marrone said. "It's so much more a responsibility that at least I put on myself. I look at it as you're representing the community, the sponsors, the fan base. When we lose, I never go back to feeling sorry for myself. The thing that comes to my mind first is really the fans, the sponsors, the players, the coaches, the organization. That's kind of how I look at it. It is something we knowingly address to the players. I do at times. I don't know if I maybe do it enough. But I think it's something I'm sure we're all aware of." …
