Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Injuries are an unavoidable part of the NFL, but how a team responds to them often defines its season. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2024 campaign has tested their resilience, with key players sidelined at critical points—from left tackle Cam Robinson’s knee injury to safety Andre Cisco’s hamstring strain. Instead of letting these setbacks derail their playoff push, the Jaguars’ coaching staff, led by Doug Pederson, has implemented strategic adjustments that have not only mitigated the impact of injuries but also highlighted the team’s depth and adaptability. From shifting offensive schemes to redefining defensive roles, these changes have kept the Jaguars competitive and in contention for the AFC South title. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars explores the team’s most impactful adaptations, how players have stepped up to fill gaps, and why these adjustments have become a strength rather than a weakness.

Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins with the offensive line adjustments following Cam Robinson’s Week 13 knee injury, a setback that threatened to disrupt the Jaguars’ passing and running game. Robinson, a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle, had been a staple of the line, protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side and opening holes for running back Travis Etienne. With Robinson sidelined, Pederson and offensive line coach Phil Rauscher made two key changes: moving backup Walker Little from right tackle to left tackle (Robinson’s natural position) and inserting rookie draft pick Jason Brooks into the right tackle spot. To ease the transition, the Jaguars also adjusted their offensive scheme, reducing the number of long dropbacks for Lawrence (which put more pressure on the tackles) and increasing quick passes, screen plays, and zone runs that relied on the line’s ability to block in short areas. The adjustments paid off immediately: in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the line allowed just one sack, and Etienne rushed for 112 yards. “We didn’t panic—we adapted,” Rauscher said. “Walker and Jason worked tirelessly in practice to learn their new roles, and we tailored our scheme to play to their strengths. That’s how you overcome injuries in this league.” Lawrence echoed the sentiment, noting that the quick-pass game kept the offense moving even when the line faced pressure.

A critical defensive adjustment came after safety Andre Cisco’s hamstring injury in Week 10, which left a gap in the Jaguars’ secondary. Cisco, who had recorded three interceptions and five pass deflections before the injury, was a key playmaker in the backend, often lining up deep to prevent big plays and jumping routes in the intermediate zone. To replace him, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell shifted veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins from strong safety to free safety (Cisco’s role) and moved backup Daniel Thomas into the strong safety spot. Caldwell also adjusted the defense’s coverage schemes, using more two-high safety looks to limit deep passes and relying on cornerbacks Darious Williams and Tyson Campbell to play tighter man-to-man coverage on the outside. Additionally, the Jaguars increased their use of blitzes from linebackers and edge rushers, forcing quarterbacks to make quick decisions before the secondary could be tested. The results were impressive: in the four games after Cisco’s injury, the Jaguars allowed an average of just 182 passing yards per game (down from 220 before the injury) and didn’t give up a passing touchdown longer than 20 yards. “Losing Andre was tough, but it forced us to be more creative,” Caldwell said. “By shifting Jenkins and using more two-high looks, we kept the secondary solid, and the blitzes helped take pressure off the corners. It’s a team effort—everyone stepped up to fill the gap.”

A key aspect of Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars is the team’s use of “position flexibility” to maximize depth—and why the Jacksonville Jaguars had prepared for such changes long before injuries occurred. Pederson and his staff have long emphasized cross-training players at multiple positions during training camp and practice, a strategy that paid dividends when injuries hit. For example, when wide receiver Zay Jones missed three games with a hamstring injury, rookie Tank Dell (who had practiced at both slot receiver and outside receiver) was able to step in and play both roles, allowing the Jaguars to keep their passing game diverse. Similarly, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, who typically plays on the right edge, spent time practicing on the left edge during camp—so when Josh Allen missed a game with a shoulder injury, Smoot was able to shift sides seamlessly, and the pass rush didn’t drop off. “We train for injuries every day,” Pederson said. “We make sure players know multiple positions so that if someone goes down, we don’t have to completely overhaul our scheme. It’s about being proactive, not reactive.” This preparation has been a game-changer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as it has allowed them to maintain consistency on both offense and defense even when key players are sidelined. It also speaks to the team’s culture of versatility, where players are willing to learn new roles for the good of the team.

Another important adjustment came on special teams after kick returner Devin Duvernay’s ankle injury in Week 12, which threatened to take away one of the Jaguars’ most dynamic playmaking threats. Duvernay had returned two kickoffs for touchdowns before the injury, and his average of 28.5 yards per return ranked second in the NFL. To replace him, special teams coordinator Heath Farwell turned to wide receiver Xavier Gipson, who had experience returning punts in college but had not returned kickoffs for the Jaguars. Farwell adjusted the kick return scheme to play to Gipson’s strengths: instead of having him run straight up the field (Duvernay’s style), the Jaguars designed returns that used Gipson’s quickness to cut back and find holes on the edges. They also added extra blockers on the outside to create more space for Gipson to operate. In Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, Gipson returned four kickoffs for an average of 24.3 yards, including a 35-yard return that set up the Jaguars’ first touchdown. “Xavier is a different type of returner than Devin, so we didn’t try to make him play like Devin,” Farwell said. “We designed plays that let him use his speed and agility, and the blockers did a great job of opening lanes. That’s the key to adjusting after injuries—playing to the replacement player’s strengths, not forcing them to fit someone else’s mold.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this adjustment kept their special teams unit effective, ensuring that they didn’t lose a crucial edge in field position battles.

Wrapping up Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars is the long-term impact of these adaptations on the team’s identity and future success. The Jaguars’ ability to overcome injuries hasn’t just kept them in the playoff hunt—it has also revealed a level of resilience and adaptability that will serve them well in the postseason, where injuries are common and teams must be able to adjust on the fly. NFL analysts have taken notice, with many praising the Jaguars’ coaching staff for their proactive approach. “What the Jaguars have done is impressive,” said ESPN’s Louis Riddick. “They didn’t let injuries define their season—they used them as an opportunity to grow. Their ability to shift schemes, cross-train players, and play to their replacement’s strengths is a testament to great coaching and a strong team culture.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, these adjustments have also strengthened team morale: players have gained confidence knowing that the team can succeed even when key contributors are out, and the trust between coaches and players has deepened. As the Jaguars head into the final weeks of the regular season and the playoffs, they carry with them not just a winning record, but a proven ability to overcome adversity. Strategic Adjustments After Injuries for the Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just about surviving injuries—it’s about thriving in spite of them, and building a team that’s built to last, no matter what challenges come its way.