PLAYER NOTES
–K Josh Lambo did not practice Wednesday because of a right groin injury.
–CB A.J. Bouye did not practice Wednesday because of a toe injury.
–T Josh Wells didn’t practice Wednesday because of a concussion.
–WR DJ Chark Jr. practiced Wednesday in full with a quadriceps injury.
–RB Leonard Fournette was limited in practice Wednesday with ankle and foot injuries.
–QB Cody Kessler was limited in practice with a right shoulder injury but head coach Doug Marrone announced Wednesday he is benching him for Blake Bortles.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LB Telvin Smith hasn’t played up to the level he did last year but he will attempt to finish the season on a high note against the Texans after having a pick-six against the Dolphins that clinched the game. It was the third pick-six of his career, tying him for the team record with Rashean Mathis and he has nine interceptions in his career. One thing he has to improve on is his maturity. He got a taunting penalty after the pick-six and while it didn’t cost the Jaguars, he can’t afford to do bonehead things like that.
GAME PLAN: Scott Milanovich, who was named the interim offensive coordinator when Nathaniel Hackett was fired and Blake Bortles was benched for Cody Kessler, didn’t provide a spark for the offense with Kessler at the helm, but that may have to do more with Kessler’s shortcomings than with Milanovich’s play-calls. He now will call plays for Bortles for the first time in what is likely to be his last game as the Jaguars coordinator because the team is expected to seek out a new coordinator next year. It won’t be a surprise if Milanovich tries the same kind of game plan with Bortles than Hackett did. Because of Bortles’ inconsistency in throwing a deep pass, he figures to call a lot of short passes and feature the running game. He also might call a few designed runs because head coach Doug Marrone noted that Bortles’ mobility is one of the reasons he went back to him.
On defense, they are likely to try to put a lot of pressure on Deshaun Watson because the Texans’ offensive line struggles to protect him. They probably don’t have to worry about stopping the run if Lamar Miller can’t play. When he was sidelined against the Eagles, Watson was their leading rusher with 49 yards in eight carries. Head coach Doug O’Brien said Wednesday he thinks Miller has a chance to play and if he does, he will present a challenge for the defense.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins. This is one of the best matchups of the season. Both are Pro Bowlers and among the best in the league at their positions. And Hopkins plays virtually every down. Hopkins will get his catches, but Ramsey will try to contain him from taking over the game.
–Texans DE J.J. Watt vs. Jaguars OL. Although technically a defensive end, Watt picks his spots and plays all over the line. And with the Jaguars playing with virtually a backup line, he figures to get some favorable matches wherever he lines up.
