The Jacksonville Jaguars are hopeful their backfield will be at full strength this Sunday.
Running backs Tank Bigsby (ankle) and Travis Etienne (hamstring) are both expected to suit up against the Eagles unless they experience any setbacks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport also shared that rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is likely to play through his chest injury, which would be a big boost for Jacksonville’s offense. However, wideout Gabe Davis might be less fortunate, as his shoulder issue makes him a longshot to play this week.
Etienne, who has long been Jacksonville’s workhorse, missed the last two games after injuring his hamstring early in their Week 6 game against the Bears. In the five games he did play, plus a portion of that sixth game, he racked up 321 yards and two touchdowns on 72 touches, showing his versatility in both the run and pass game.
During Etienne’s absence, Tank Bigsby has stepped up as a solid ground-game option. While Bigsby hasn’t been as active in the passing game with only three catches, he has put together an impressive 493 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 85 carries. If both backs stay healthy, the Jaguars will have a strong one-two punch to take on the Eagles’ defense.
Having Thomas available would be a big help too, especially since the Jaguars just lost Christian Kirk for the season due to a fractured collarbone. The rookie wide receiver has been a standout in his first year, leading the team with 33 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns. With Davis possibly sidelined, Thomas might be relied on even more heavily, especially on deep routes.
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Thomas has developed quickly and is already a go-to target for the Jaguars, complementing tight end Evan Engram in the passing attack. His presence on Sunday could be crucial as Jacksonville aims to upset the 5-2 Eagles and improve their record, currently sitting at 2-6.
Beyond the Jaguars, there are several other key injuries worth noting across the league as Week 9 games approach:
- Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (knee) is expected to play against the Broncos, although he may be on a snap count.
- Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) will not play against the Dolphins, giving Buffalo’s offense a key gap to fill.
- Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (toe) is expected to be active for their game against the Saints, a welcome addition for Carolina.
- Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) has been ruled out for their matchup with Las Vegas, leaving Cincinnati thin at the position.
- Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has cleared concussion protocol and is set to play against the Chargers, bolstering Cleveland’s secondary.
- Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks (shoulder) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (calf) are both expected to play against the Falcons after passing pregame workouts.
- Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) is on track to play against the Lions, which will help Green Bay’s rushing attack.
- Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is hopeful to play against the Seahawks, although his status is still uncertain.
- Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) is a game-time decision against the Patriots, with some optimism he’ll play despite missing practice all week.
- Commanders running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) will be inactive against the Giants, adding to Washington’s list of challenges on offense.
With multiple teams dealing with key injuries, Week 9 will be an interesting one to watch. For Jacksonville, if Etienne, Bigsby, and Thomas all suit up, they’ll be in a better position to challenge the Eagles and keep their playoff hopes alive.
