In a thrilling twist of fate, the Jacksonville Jaguars were dealt a bit of good news on Saturday as defensive end Josh Hines-Allen made his grand return from the dreaded NFL concussion protocol. The Jaguars faithful let out a collective sigh of relief knowing that one of their key defensive players was back in action.
Hines-Allen had suffered a concussion during the team’s Week 4 clash against the Houston Texans, but he was back with a vengeance. Before his untimely exit in the early fourth quarter, Josh had been making waves on the field, leading the team with an impressive 5 quarterback pressures. His teammates De Travon Walker, Maason Smith, Yasir Abdullah, Esezi Otomewo, DaVon Hamilton, Jeremiah Ledbetter, and Arik Armstead also made their presence felt with pressures of their own. With 1 sack, 13 pressures, 12 tackles, and two passes defensed in just four games in 2024 according to Next Gen Stats, Allen was proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
With Hines-Allen back in the mix, all eyes turned to the upcoming showdown on Sunday, where it seemed likely that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco would be leading the charge for the opposing team. Jaguar fans couldn’t help but recall Flacco’s standout performance with the Cleveland Browns in 2023, where he orchestrated a stunning 31-27 victory as a backup. His impressive stats of 26/45, 311 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception solidified his place as a quarterback to be feared. His heroic performance in relief of the injured Richardson during their Week 4 victory over the then 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers only added to his aura of invincibility.
As game day drew nearer, both teams faced their fair share of injury troubles. The Colts were set to be without multiple starters, while the Jaguars were bracing themselves for potential absences from key players like TE Evan Engram, LB Foye Oluokun, and CB Tyson Campbell. The battle for supremacy on the gridiron was sure to be intense, with both teams eager for a victory to bolster their standing in the league.
In the midst of all the excitement, both teams released their final injury reports on Friday, setting the stage for an epic showdown on Sunday. The Jaguars faithful could hardly contain their anticipation as they awaited kickoff, ready to cheer on their beloved team with all the passion and fervor that defines true fandom.
Go Jaguars.
