DE Yannick Ngakoue out for Sunday's game, other defenders may join him

Jacksonville is facing some injury questions heading into Sunday's game.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) will be without a key defender when they roll into NRG Stadium to play the Houston Texans (0-1) on Sunday, but the list could grow. 

Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said Friday that starting defensive end Yannick Ngakoue would be held out of Sunday's game after missing the entire week of r practice with a hamstring injury. Ngakoue was the defense's best player in week 1, and losing him in a nearly must-win game is a big loss. 

"It’s a shame. I spoke to him [Yannick], and he really wants to play. He’s like, ‘I really want to play. I don’t care. I want to get out there.’ You don’t really see that a lot, but that’s how he’s been," Marrone said. "I found out (Thursday) around 4:30, 5 o’clock. They told me they weren’t going to let him play.”

Other players who have already been ruled out for Sunday's game are offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and tight end Josh Oliver, who each also have hamstring injuries. 

But a key player who may join Ngakoue on the sidelines Sunday is starting cornerback A.J. Bouye, who may miss the game with a hip injury that limited him in practice on Thursday and Friday.

 “I’d probably think, probably doubtful. You know? We’ll be ready to go. We’re planning on him probably not playing. I’m sure he’s going to give it everything he has to be healthy," Marrone said about Bouye.

If Bouye can't play, second-year cornerback Tre Herndon would start in his place. Rookie Josh Allen and veteran Lerentee McCray will step in as pass rushers to make up for Ngakoue's absence. 

Starting defensive lineman Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus were full participants in Friday's practice after being limited throughout the week. Neither player has an injury designation for Sunday, so they should play. 

As for other banged up players, wide receiver Marqise Lee and offensive tackle Cam Robinson are also questionable. Lee is still working his way back into a full-time role after tearing his ACL in the 2018 preseason, while Robinson suffered a hyperextended knee a week ago. 

“Cam [Robinson] is actually cleared to play, but I’m going to keep him out. I just want to make sure he gets the work in, and he missed a lot of training camp; he’s missed a lot. We’ll go with the same group we had," Marrone said. 

Marrone said that holding Robinson out isn't a doctor's decision but is instead his own, unlike Ngakoue who doctors are not allowing to play.

"I’m watching him and he’s working his ass off. He wants to play. It’s not him. Like I said, Yannick [Ngakoue] is the doctor’s decision, but Cam [Robinson] is my decision," he said.