The Jacksonville Jaguars are gearing up for a pivotal clash against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Jaguars find themselves in a must-win situation this Sunday. A victory would keep their postseason dreams alive, but a loss could send their chances plummeting. The drama is thick, the tension is real, and fans are bracing for a showdown that promises to be anything but predictable.
Coming off a tough defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans in Week 10, the Jaguars enter their Week 11 matchup as three-point underdogs. The odds-makers aren’t exactly bullish on Jacksonville’s chances, and for good reason—the Chargers boast one of the league’s most formidable defenses, and their offense, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, has found ways to shine despite an inconsistent offensive line. But if there’s one thing the NFL teaches us week after week, it’s that nothing is set in stone until the final whistle blows.
Jacksonville’s journey to this moment has been anything but smooth. The team’s 25th-ranked offense, as measured by PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, has struggled for consistency, and injuries have only made matters worse. The loss to Houston exposed several vulnerabilities, particularly in the trenches, and now the Jaguars must face the Chargers without a handful of key contributors.
Right tackle Anton Harrison, sidelined with ankle and knee injuries, has already been ruled out for the contest. Tight end Hunter Long (hip/knee) and cornerback Jourdan Lewis (neck) join him on the inactive list, while tight end Brenton Strange remains on Injured Reserve as he continues his recovery from a hip injury. Strange has returned to practice, but he needs at least another week before he’s game-ready. These absences put added pressure on the rest of the roster to step up and fill the void.
Head coach Liam Coen, in his first year at the helm, has been forced to shuffle the deck. The likely replacement for Harrison at right tackle is Cole Van Lanen, a 2021 sixth-round pick who has already made two starts this season. Coen spoke highly of Van Lanen’s versatility and preparation, telling reporters, “Very pleased with Cole as the whole season, right? He came in. Obviously, multiple instances have helped us either get through games, starting games, I thought Cole, he does the preparation, the trust that he has in that room with those guys. It’s a good group that trusts each other. So I have a ton of faith in Cole this week, stepping in, if he has to, and continue to keep playing at a high level for us.”
Coen also emphasized Van Lanen’s technical growth, noting, “So his pad level, we talked about wanting to continue to improve and staying lower. And when he’s lower, he’s able to be a little bit more explosive. So I’ve been very pleased with Cole.” That faith will be put to the test against a Chargers defensive front that’s known for making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
The Jaguars’ injury woes don’t end there. Wide receiver Parker Washington, who missed practice on Wednesday, returned in a limited capacity on Thursday and was ultimately cleared for game action. His presence should provide a much-needed spark to the receiving corps. Meanwhile, center Robert Hainsey and guard Ezra Cleveland, both of whom appeared on the injury report, are expected to suit up, ensuring some stability along the offensive line despite the absence of Harrison.
Perhaps the biggest question mark heading into the game is the status of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. After a sensational rookie year, Thomas has encountered a sophomore slump, compounded by a string of injuries. Earlier in the season, he battled wrist and shoulder issues, but it was a low-grade high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 9 against the Raiders that has caused the most concern. Thomas was pulled down awkwardly during a big catch-and-run, limped off the field, and ultimately couldn’t return to the game. He missed the Week 10 loss to Houston and has been limited in practice all week leading up to the Chargers game.
The Jaguars listed Thomas as questionable after he participated in three straight limited practices from Wednesday through Friday. According to Dr. Jesse Morse, a trusted sports physician, Thomas’s injury is “not considered severe,” and he has a “fair chance to play” in Week 11. Still, his availability will likely be a game-time decision. The Jaguars would love nothing more than to have their top receiver back in the lineup as they try to outgun the 7-3 Chargers.
In response to both Thomas’s struggles and the season-ending injury to Travis Hunter, Jacksonville made a move to acquire wide receiver Jakobi Meyers via trade. The acquisition, finalized on November 11, was seen as a necessary step to shore up the receiving corps and provide additional support as the team navigates a brutal stretch of the schedule. Meyers brings experience and reliability, but the Jaguars’ offense will need all hands on deck to keep pace with Los Angeles.
On the defensive side, sophomore cornerback Jarrian Jones will once again fill in for Jourdan Lewis, marking his second consecutive start. Jones made a big impression in Week 11, intercepting Davis Mills and earning the highest defensive grade on the team. His continued development is a bright spot for a defense that’s been asked to carry a heavy load.
Despite the adversity, there’s a sense of quiet confidence in the Jaguars’ locker room. Head coach Liam Coen believes that, even shorthanded, his squad has enough talent to compete with the Chargers. The key, according to Coen, will be minimizing mistakes and getting pressure on Justin Herbert. “As long as they avoid shooting themselves in the foot and manage to bring Justin Herbert down a few times, they’ll have a favorable chance to come out on top,” he said earlier this week.
It’s a tall order, but the Jaguars have shown flashes of resilience throughout the season. Their playoff hopes may be hanging by a thread, but in the NFL, one big win can change everything. With the 7-seed currently in their grasp and the postseason picture still wide open, Jacksonville’s fate is very much in their own hands.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on the status of Brian Thomas Jr. and the performance of Cole Van Lanen on the offensive line. Can the Jaguars overcome their injury woes and pull off the upset against a red-hot Chargers squad? The answer will unfold on Sunday, as Jacksonville fights to keep its playoff dreams alive in front of a raucous home crowd.
With so much on the line, this is one matchup you won’t want to miss. The Jaguars and Chargers are set for a battle that could define the rest of the season—and perhaps, the future of both franchises.
