Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars

In the NFL, consistency is the mark of a standout player—but for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Josh Hines-Allen, the 2024 season was a departure from the reliability he’d long been known for. After emerging as a key weapon in the Jaguars’ offense from 2021 to 2023 (averaging 52 catches, 580 yards, and 4 touchdowns per season), Hines-Allen’s production dropped sharply last year: he finished with just 28 catches for 295 yards and 1 touchdown, hampered by a nagging ankle injury and reduced involvement in the passing game. As the 2025 season approaches, the 28-year-old tight end is on a mission to reclaim his role as one of quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets, using the offseason to heal his body, refine his skills, and prove he still has the playmaking ability that made him a fan favorite. For the Jaguars, who are aiming to compete for an AFC South title, Hines-Allen’s return to form could provide a much-needed boost to an offense that sometimes lacked depth at the tight end position last season. For Hines-Allen himself, this year is about redemption—and Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars is the story of his journey to get back to his best.

Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars begins with a look at the challenges that derailed his 2024 campaign. The trouble started in Week 3, when Hines-Allen suffered a low ankle sprain during a blocking play against the Houston Texans. Though he tried to play through the injury (missing just two games), he never fully recovered—his speed and agility were noticeably diminished, and he struggled to create separation from linebackers and safeties. Compounding the issue was a shift in the Jaguars’ offensive scheme, which focused more on wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, leaving Hines-Allen with fewer targets. By midseason, he’d gone from being a top-three target in the passing game to an afterthought, with just 3 catches in one four-game stretch. Hines-Allen has been open about the frustration of that season, telling reporters, “It was tough watching from the sidelines, even when I was playing. I knew I wasn’t giving the team my best.” This offseason, however, he’s turned that frustration into motivation: he underwent a minor procedure to address the ankle issue in January, then spent three months in a targeted training program to rebuild strength and mobility.

A closer look at Hines-Allen’s offseason work reveals the specific steps he’s taken to regain his form. Recognizing that his ankle injury had affected his ability to run routes and block, he worked with a specialist to improve his lower-body strength and flexibility—doing daily drills to enhance his lateral movement and quickness. He also focused on refining his route-running, spending hours with Jaguars wide receivers coach Chad Hall to sharpen his cuts and learn how to create better separation from defenders. One area of emphasis was his ability to catch in traffic: Hines-Allen, who had just one drop in 2023, had four drops in 2024, so he added “distraction drills” to his routine—catching passes while trainers waved padded sticks at him to simulate defenders. Perhaps most importantly, he reconnected with Lawrence during the offseason, meeting twice a week to review film and practice timing on plays they’d excelled at in the past, like the “seam route” that resulted in six touchdowns for Hines-Allen in 2022. These efforts have already paid off in early training camp: Hines-Allen has been a standout in practice, catching 12 passes for 150 yards in the first two team scrimmages, including a 35-yard touchdown catch from Lawrence on a seam route.

A critical factor in Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars is the Jaguars’ offensive scheme, which has been adjusted to better utilize his strengths. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new offensive coordinator, Jim Bob Cooter, has made it clear that he views tight ends as a key part of the passing game—and he’s designed plays that play to Hines-Allen’s unique skill set. Unlike last season, when the Jaguars often used Hines-Allen as a blocker first, Cooter’s scheme features him in more “move tight end” roles, where he lines up in the slot or out wide to create mismatches with slower linebackers. This shift takes advantage of Hines-Allen’s size (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) and speed (4.72-second 40-yard dash), allowing him to either outmuscle smaller defenders or outrun larger ones. Cooter noted, “Josh is a versatile player, and we want to put him in positions to succeed. When he’s in the slot, he’s a nightmare for defenses—they don’t know whether to cover him with a linebacker or a safety.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this adjustment isn’t just about helping Hines-Allen; it’s about making the offense more unpredictable, which will benefit Lawrence and the entire passing game.

Another key aspect of Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars is the support he’s received from his teammates and coaches. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ locker room has rallied around Hines-Allen, with Lawrence publicly stating that he expects Hines-Allen to “have a big year” and Ridley praising his work ethic in camp. Defensive players have also taken notice: Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who often lines up against Hines-Allen in practice, said, “He’s moving like the old Josh again—fast, strong, and hard to tackle. It’s been great to see.” Coaches have reinforced this positivity, giving Hines-Allen plenty of reps in practice and highlighting his successes in team meetings. This support has been crucial for Hines-Allen’s confidence, which took a hit during his 2024 slump. “Having my teammates and coaches believe in me means everything,” he said. “It makes me want to work even harder to repay that trust.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this team-wide support isn’t just about boosting Hines-Allen’s morale; it’s about building a cohesive unit where every player feels valued—a key ingredient for a successful season.

As training camp winds down and the regular season approaches, Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars remains one of the most compelling storylines for the Jaguars. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hines-Allen’s return to form could be the missing piece in an offense that already has plenty of talent. If he can recapture his 2023 production, the Jaguars will have a three-headed monster in the passing game (Ridley, Kirk, and Hines-Allen) that few defenses in the NFL can handle. Early signs are promising: in the Jaguars’ first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hines-Allen caught four passes for 55 yards, including a 20-yard catch on third-and-10 that set up a touchdown. While he knows there’s still work to do—he’s focused on staying healthy and consistent—he’s optimistic about what the future holds. “I feel like I’m back,” Hines-Allen said after the game. “I’m healthy, I’m comfortable in the scheme, and I’m ready to help this team win.” In the end, Josh Hines-Allen Seeks Return to Form with Jacksonville Jaguars is a story of resilience—a reminder that even when players face setbacks, hard work and determination can help them bounce back stronger than ever. For the Jaguars, that bounce-back could be the difference between a good season and a great one.