Doug Marrone Encouraged by Jaguars’ Health After Bye Week

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is happy with where his team's health is following its bye week, especially compared to last season.

In 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to be snake bitten with injuries by the middle of November. Key players such as left tackle Cam Robinson, center Brandon Linder, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins were sidelined on injured reserve, and eventually, several others joined them. 

But in 2019, the Jaguars are in quite a different situation. The Jaguars (4-5) are coming off a Week 10 bye and will face the Indianapolis Colts (5-4) in a pivotal road game this Sunday, and they will be doing so at mostly full strength.

Only tight end Seth DeValve is on the team's injury report for Sunday's game, with the starting tight end is dealing with an oblique injury and is listed doubtful. But aside from DeValve and a few other players placed on injured reserve earlier this season, such as Marcell Dareus (core muscle) and Marqise Lee (shoulder), the Jaguars are relatively healthy heading into the second half of their season. 

This is quite the contrast from how last season played out. Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone pointed out just how much injuries factored into last season when speaking to the media Friday, saying the team has learned since.

“We’ve worked hard, both the players, everybody, to manage [to get] where we are. I think last year we learned a lot," Marrone said. "Last year was awful, really was, when you look at it."

Marrone knows an injury situation can change quickly, and pointed out to past weeks this season where things have maybe changed one way or another. But regardless, he recognizes he has a mostly healthy football team right now. 

"So, like I said, it’s good to be here, but again, it’s week-to-week," Marrone said. "I look at the Cincinnati game and you think you’re going to come out of that game pretty good, and all of a sudden, there’s a rash of injuries. So, week-to-week, you have to continue to keep doing a good job."

"Obviously, we’re in a pretty good place right now where we are as far as health," he continued.