Patriots, Dolphins both looking to turn things around

Changes could be coming for the Miami Dolphins as they prepare to face the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.

Miami (1-3) has been feeling the loss of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past two weeks, getting outscored 55-15 in losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.

With Tagovailoa on injured reserve because of a concussion sustained in a Week 2 setback against the Buffalo Bills, Tyler Huntley started under center against Tennessee on Monday. He threw for just 96 yards on 14-of-22 passing as the Dolphins fell 31-12.

Even though Miami beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17 in its season opener, it didn’t lead until Jason Sanders booted a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Since then, the Dolphins haven’t been able to get the upper hand on their opponent, making them the first team since the 2017 Cleveland Browns to never hold a lead through the first four games of a season.

“Everything’s on the table,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said following the loss against the Titans. “You can’t argue that the offense is good. … In a situation like this, I hadn’t really been in one where we haven’t had production consecutively like this.

“So, you really have to open your mind to all things.”

Still, Huntley is expected to draw the start against New England (1-3).

The Dolphins will also have to adjust to life without linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during Monday’s game.

“I know that my purpose is to inspire people to never give up, no matter how many times you get knocked down,” Phillips said Wednesday in a social media post. “There is nothing in life that you can’t overcome as long as you don’t quit.”

Moving in a different direction offensively is also something that the Patriots are considering.

Lead back Rhamondre Stevenson, who started his season with a promising 120-yard performance on the ground against the Cincinnati Bengals, has been struggling to hang on to the ball. He has one fumble in each of his four games, two of which have been recovered by opposing defenses.

Because of those issues, Antonio Gibson could end up serving as RB1 on Sunday.

“That’s definitely under consideration,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said of moving Gibson up on the depth chart. “I’ve had multiple conversations with Rhamondre. But look, we can’t preach that ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time.

“So, I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are certain things that we just can’t do to win, especially with the team that we have today.”

Whoever starts at running back will have to get to work behind an offensive line that is now without center David Andrews. The nine-year veteran needs shoulder surgery that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season.

Like Miami, the Patriots have followed a season-opening victory with a three-game losing streak, most recently getting pounded by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, 30-13. Gibson was New England’s leading receiver, hauling in three catches for 67 yards.

Safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) were among those who didn’t practice for New England on Wednesday. Ten players were limited, including receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee), cornerback Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and guard/center Nick Leverett (ankle), Andrews’ replacement.

Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer missed practice on Wednesday due to a shin injury. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller are dealing with concussions and were limited, as was running back Raheem Mostert (chest).

–Field Level Media

Rookie Caleb Williams leads Bears vs. veteran Andy Dalton, Panthers

The Chicago Bears have found good footing with a rookie quarterback drafted first overall.

That could be another harsh reminder for the Carolina Panthers, who weren’t able to benefit from an overall No. 1 draft pick a year ago, when the teams meet Sunday afternoon in Chicago.

Caleb Williams is running the show for the Bears (2-2) fresh off a stellar college career during which he won the Heisman Award in 2022. Williams has given his teammates confidence in the way he has gone about his first month in the NFL.

“He’s doing a good job of just kind of taking what the defense is giving him,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “Having that awareness and knowing when to be aggressive.”

Williams, who has thrown three touchdowns and four interceptions thus far, said he has developed a better comfort level along with what he has described as regular learning moments. He’s not surprised that the Bears have experienced success after a tough start.

“We expected it and wanted it to happen faster, but that’s the process we’re in,” said Williams, who posted a 106.6 passer rating in last Sunday’s 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams (his first triple-digit rating as a pro). “When we get going, just finding that flow, keeping that flow.”

Chicago coach Matt Eberflus said Williams is displaying more patience and is willing to take shorter yardage pickups. For Carolina coach Dave Canales, it’s clear that Williams has been adjusting as it relates to Chicago’s offense.

“It takes time to figure out your identity and they’re working toward that,” Canales said. “They obviously have some skilled players and talent around him.”

The Bears are feeling good after improving to 2-0 at home following the win over the Rams.

The Panthers (1-3), on the other hand, are trying to bounce back from a 34-24 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. Even with that, however, they seemed to gain positive vibes behind quarterback Andy Dalton, who replaced Bryce Young as Carolina’s starter.

Young was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023, but he didn’t generate the early success that has come for Williams. He was benched after two games this season.

Among Williams’ top targets is receiver DJ Moore, who’s in his second season with the Bears after five years with Carolina.

Dalton, a former starter with the Bengals, has thrown five touchdowns across the past two games. The Bears have noticed.

“They’re a team that is up and rising since he has taken over,” Kmet said. “It will be a good challenge for our defense.”

Canales praised the 14-year veteran Dalton’s approach.

“We’ve asked him to hit the first open guy, and he has done that well,” Canales said.

The Panthers also are benefiting from regular production from running back Chuba Hubbard, the first Carolina player with back-to-back games of 120 or more yards from scrimmage since Christian McCaffrey in 2021.

The Bears have been stingy on defense. When the Rams gained 322 yards of offense and racked up 21 first downs, those were the most allowed by Chicago in both categories this season.

“Everyone on our side of the ball is continuing to gel and we know what we’re trying to do defensively,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.

The Panthers have more questions on defense with the loss of veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson, who is done for the season with an Achilles injury. Linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday, nor did No. 1 wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle).

Left guard Damien Lewis (elbow), right guard Robert Hunt (hip), linebacker Charles Harris (shoulder), defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (foot), and safety Nick Scott (shoulder) were all limited on Wednesday.

Carolina on Tuesday signed linebacker Chandler Wooten, who has previously played in 17 games for the Panthers.

For the Bears, offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (ribs), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and cornerback Terrell Smith (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Kmet (knee) and defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle) were limited.

This is the second straight year that the Panthers visit Chicago, where they lost 16-13 last season. The Bears lead the series 8-3.

–Field Level Media

Bucs visit Raheem Morris’ Falcons in NFC South battle

The host Atlanta Falcons and rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be battling for first place in the NFC South on Thursday in an important early-season matchup.

The winner between Atlanta (2-2) and Tampa Bay (3-1) will own the division’s top spot after the franchises meet for the 62nd time. The Bucs lead 31-30.

Tampa Bay, which has won six of the past eight meetings, vies to strengthen its NFC South lead in pursuit of its fourth consecutive division crown. The Buccaneers rebounded from a poor showing in Week 3, a 26-7 home loss to the Denver Broncos, with a convincing 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Mike Evans turned in his best showing of the season, hauling in eight catches for 94 yards and a score.

Ahead of a short week, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles is preparing for a new-look Atlanta team.

“They’re different offensively and defensively,” Bowles said of the Falcons. “They’re playing faster and they’re playing with a lot more confidence. They’ve added quite a few new guys and they’ve got a lot of talent over there. They can beat you a bunch of different ways, so we’ve got to be on our P’s and Q’s.”

One of the aforementioned “new guys” is Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Bowles and Tampa Bay last year as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

“(Kirk) is a good football player,” Bowles said. “We played him last year in Minnesota, but he’s in a different offense this time. He’s got a lot more weapons now than he had with just Justin Jefferson and a couple of guys there. He knows how to play the game; he runs the offense well. He knows where to go with the ball and how to get rid of the ball, so he presents a great challenge.”

It’s also a new-look sideline in Atlanta, as first-year coach Raheem Morris has taken over. However, Bowles is no stranger to what a Morris-led team will look like.

“(Raheem) grew up in the next town over from me in New Jersey, so I know him very well,” Bowles said. “He’s a heck of a coach and an outstanding guy. He’s going to bring a lot of fire to those guys, and they’ll be ready to play. … It’ll be a tough battle.”

Aside from reuniting with his New Jersey counterpart, Morris will have many ties to his opponent on Thursday.

Morris served as a defensive assistant in Tampa Bay from 2002 to 2005 and then again in 2007 and 2008, before compiling a 17-31 record as the Buccaneers’ coach from 2009 to 2011.

Before his hiring in Atlanta, Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, where Mayfield rejuvenated his career in 2022.

“I’ve got so much respect for Baker from when we had him in L.A., and he got a chance to revitalize what he had lost a little bit,” Morris said. “I think Baker is going to do whatever it takes to try to win that football game. Right now, he’s found a nice formula of getting the ball out of his hands, keeping the completions up. He’s got some really good wideouts that he can get the ball to who can catch and run. If you can find a way to take away some of those things, and kind of force the issues or bad habits, I think that’s the way you have to defend Baker.”

Atlanta is coming off a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints, in which Younghoe Koo blasted a 58-yard game-winning field goal with two seconds left. The Falcons are in the middle of a stretch of facing a division opponent in three straight games. They travel to Carolina next week.

The Bucs on Wednesday ruled out All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) as well as right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion), defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) and wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion). Standout wide receiver Mike Evans (knee/calf) was a limited participant on Wednesday, as were offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) and defensive lineman William Gholston (knee).

Nose tackle Vita Vea (knee), who was limited on Monday and Tuesday, was a full participant on Wednesday. Bowles said linebacker SirVocea Dennis (shoulder) will be placed on injured reserve.

For Atlanta, linebacker Troy Andersen was a no-show at practice on Monday and Tuesday with a knee injury. He led Atlanta with 10 tackles and had a pick-six Sunday vs. New Orleans. Running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring), offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (knee) and receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (ankle) were limited on Monday and Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Bucs visit Raheem Morris’ Falcons in NFC South battle

The host Atlanta Falcons and rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be battling for first place in the NFC South on Thursday in an important early-season matchup.

The winner between Atlanta (2-2) and Tampa Bay (3-1) will own the division’s top spot after the franchises meet for the 62nd time. The Bucs lead 31-30.

Tampa Bay, which has won six of the past eight meetings, vies to strengthen its NFC South lead in pursuit of its fourth consecutive division crown. The Buccaneers rebounded from a poor showing in Week 3, a 26-7 home loss to the Denver Broncos, with a convincing 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Mike Evans turned in his best showing of the season, hauling in eight catches for 94 yards and a score.

Ahead of a short week, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles is preparing for a new-look Atlanta team.

“They’re different offensively and defensively,” Bowles said of the Falcons. “They’re playing faster and they’re playing with a lot more confidence. They’ve added quite a few new guys and they’ve got a lot of talent over there. They can beat you a bunch of different ways, so we’ve got to be on our P’s and Q’s.”

One of the aforementioned “new guys” is Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Bowles and Tampa Bay last year as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

“(Kirk) is a good football player,” Bowles said. “We played him last year in Minnesota, but he’s in a different offense this time. He’s got a lot more weapons now than he had with just Justin Jefferson and a couple of guys there. He knows how to play the game; he runs the offense well. He knows where to go with the ball and how to get rid of the ball, so he presents a great challenge.”

It’s also a new-look sideline in Atlanta, as first-year coach Raheem Morris has taken over. However, Bowles is no stranger to what a Morris-led team will look like.

“(Raheem) grew up in the next town over from me in New Jersey, so I know him very well,” Bowles said. “He’s a heck of a coach and an outstanding guy. He’s going to bring a lot of fire to those guys, and they’ll be ready to play. … It’ll be a tough battle.”

Aside from reuniting with his New Jersey counterpart, Morris will have many ties to his opponent on Thursday.

Morris served as a defensive assistant in Tampa Bay from 2002 to 2005 and then again in 2007 and 2008, before compiling a 17-31 record as the Buccaneers’ coach from 2009 to 2011.

Before his hiring in Atlanta, Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, where Mayfield rejuvenated his career in 2022.

“I’ve got so much respect for Baker from when we had him in L.A., and he got a chance to revitalize what he had lost a little bit,” Morris said. “I think Baker is going to do whatever it takes to try to win that football game. Right now, he’s found a nice formula of getting the ball out of his hands, keeping the completions up. He’s got some really good wideouts that he can get the ball to who can catch and run. If you can find a way to take away some of those things, and kind of force the issues or bad habits, I think that’s the way you have to defend Baker.”

Atlanta is coming off a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints, in which Younghoe Koo blasted a 58-yard game-winning field goal with two seconds left. The Falcons are in the middle of a stretch of facing a division opponent in three straight games. They travel to Carolina next week.

In a lengthy injury report, Tampa Bay’s SirVocea Dennis, William Gholston, Calijah Kancey, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Evans were all sidelined for Monday’s practice.

For Atlanta, linebacker Troy Andersen was a no-show at practice with a knee injury. Andersen led Atlanta with 10 tackles and had a pick-six Sunday vs. New Orleans.

–Field Level Media

Will Levis, winless Titans draw Dolphins in ‘Snoop’ spot start

Quarterback Will Levis’ most memorable moment of his brief NFL career occurred last season during a Monday night road game against the Miami Dolphins.

Levis will be seeking a repeat performance in the same setting on the same night of the week when the winless Tennessee Titans battle the Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Tennessee scored 15 points in 51 seconds last December to turn a 14-point deficit into a stunning 28-27 victory over the Dolphins. Levis, then a rookie, passed for a career-high 327 yards.

“It was a lot of fun,” Levis said of the comeback win. “But different team, different season for both of us. Any time you play on Monday night, the whole world is watching, and it gives a little bit of extra excitement, so we’ve got that. That was a good win for us, and we’re just hoping to go get another win down there at a point of the season where we really need one.”

The Titans (0-3) haven’t looked too stout this season while being outscored 78-48.

The Dolphins (1-2) have different issues after standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. He is on injured reserve and the earliest he can return is Oct. 27 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Skylar Thompson started last week’s 24-3 road loss against the Seattle Seahawks and completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards and was sacked five times before exiting with a rib injury in the third quarter. Tim Boyle was 7 of 13 for 79 yards and sacked once as Miami finished with just 205 yards of total offense.

Thompson was still limited in practice Friday and Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Thompson’s rib injury is “pretty painful.”

On Saturday, McDaniel confirmed that Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will start against the Titans with Boyle serving as the backup. The Dolphins acquired Huntley from Baltimore’s practice squad on Sept. 17.

“We targeted him for a reason,” McDaniel said Thursday of Huntley, who made 10 starts (including the playoffs) in four seasons with the Ravens. “And it’s a player that we’re very familiar with from the opponent’s standpoint.”

Miami ranks last in the NFL with a scoring average of 11 points per game. It hasn’t scored a touchdown in its last seven quarters and has been outscored 55-13 during its two-game skid. Star wideout Tyreek Hill has just six catches for 64 yards and no scores in the two setbacks. He didn’t practice on Friday, but the Dolphins cited rest as the reason.

Hill said the Dolphins are ready for the spotlight showdown with the Titans no matter who starts at quarterback.

“Very confident. We have a heck of a coaching staff who’s able to put together a crazy gameplan,” Hill said Friday. “It’s going to be a crazy game Monday night.”

Hill began watching film of Huntley when he joined the team.

“I seen it. This dude can make every throw,” Hill said. “This dude is special with his legs. He’s a special talent, man.”

The Titans are 28th in scoring (16.0) and 29th in total offense (260.3 yards per game). Levis shares the NFL lead with eight individual turnovers (five interceptions, three lost fumbles). He has thrown four touchdown passes.

Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins believes Levis will work through turnover issues.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else out there on the field the way he prepares and goes about his day,” Hopkins said. “I think he’s going to learn from his mistakes. He hasn’t even played a full season. It’s going to come with time.”

Levis is 3-9 as a starter entering Monday’s contest.

Tennessee will be without cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) for at least four games after he was placed on injured reserve on Friday. He was hurt in last Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow) missed practice Friday for the second straight day.

For Miami, McDaniel said that left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller both remain in concussion protocol. Linebacker David Long and cornerback Siran Neal missed Thursday’s practice with hamstring injuries but Siran returned on a limited basis on Friday.

–Field Level Media

QBs get healthy, Aaron Jones leaps for Green Bay return with Vikings

Aaron Jones knows exactly what he will do if he scores a touchdown at Lambeau Field, where he spent the first seven years of his career.

“I’m definitely leaping up there,” Jones said this week.

Would Packers fans embrace him in his Lambeau Leap? Boo him? Maybe both?

Jones is in his first season with the rival Minnesota Vikings (3-0), who will visit the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Sunday afternoon in an NFC North battle that is expected to include the return of Packers quarterback Jordan Love from a knee injury in the season opener.

The Packers released Jones during the offseason and the Vikings wasted little time in adding him to their roster. He has responded with 325 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his first three games for Minnesota, which is one of five remaining teams in the NFL that have yet to lose.

Green Bay has been nearly as impressive to start the season, particularly considering that it lost Love to an MCL sprain in his left knee in the final moments of the 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 6 in Brazil.

Backup Malik Willis has stepped in and helped Green Bay do more than just stay competitive. The Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 in Week 2 before following that up last week with a 30-14 road win against the Tennessee Titans.

This week, Love said that his knee is feeling better and he is moving without as many limitations. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, but multiple media reports on Saturday afternoon said Love is expected to start ahead of Willis.

“I’m trying to push it, and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said. “But definitely, you look at this week — an NFC North opponent, 3-0 team, really good team — so definitely it would mean a lot to get back and push myself to get back for this game.”

Love practiced in full pads Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, a sign Packers coach Matt LaFleur called “encouraging.” Love was listed Friday as questionable on the injury report, the same status he had the previous two weeks but was inactive for both games.

Willis has proved to be a capable backup plan. He posted a 120.9 passer rating last week against Tennessee, against whom he completed 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings also have benefited from a comeback story at their most important position. Sam Darnold has thrived in his first season with the team, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 657 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

Darnold briefly left last week’s contest against the Houston Texans because of a knee injury but returned one play later. He was back at practice without limitations by Thursday and did not appear on the final injury report Friday.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he was grateful that Darnold escaped serious injury.

“I’ve been very excited about the start that Sam has gotten off to,” O’Connell said. “I’m having an absolute blast coaching him. So when I saw him go down in the moment, there was the initial feeling. … And then he comes back in the game, and I’m holding the call sheet, so I can’t clap like everybody else did.”

Both teams also have benefited from playmakers on defense to start the season.

Patrick Jones II and Jonathan Greenard lead the Vikings with four sacks apiece. Teammate Andrew Van Ginkel has three sacks to go along with a pick-6.

Green Bay is led by Devonte Wyatt with three sacks. Safety Xavier McKinney also has shined in the secondary with an NFL-best three interceptions. The Packers do have starting cornerback Jaire Alexander (quadricep, groin) listed as questionable and corner Carrington Valentine (ankle) down as doubtful.

This will be the 128th all-time meeting between the rivals, including playoffs. Green Bay leads the series 66-58-3.

Jones cannot wait for the next matchup.

“I’m definitely excited to go back, that’s where it all started for me,” he said. “Just a moment of gratitude, a full-circle moment.”

–Field Level Media

Jaguars, facing Texans, ramp up for rebound from ‘disaster’

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of three winless teams in the NFL and certainly the one in the most disarray.

The Jaguars (0-3) will attempt to halt their dysfunction and register that elusive first victory when they visit the Houston Texans in an AFC South battle on Sunday.

Jacksonville’s poor start includes being annihilated 47-10 by the host Buffalo Bills on the Monday night stage. The Jaguars trailed 34-3 at halftime after Buffalo scored touchdowns on all five first-half possessions.

“The game the other night was just a disaster on every level,” Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is telling his team they can still turn things around.

“It’s not the end of anybody’s season, obviously it’s Week 4,” Pederson said. “We just got to figure out a way to play good football, and right now, the tape shows that we’re not and we’ve got to fix that.”

A win over the Texans (2-1) would be a step in the right direction. It would take some heat off Pederson and the underachieving Lawrence.

Jacksonville has lost the last eight times Lawrence has been the starting quarterback. The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2021 has completed just 52.8 percent of his passes this year while getting sacked 11 times.

“I’ve got to play really well for us to win,” Lawrence said. “That’s the NFL. The quarterback has to play well every week in order to give us a shot to win. I don’t feel like I’ve done that consistently enough. So I put that on myself.”

Lawrence has passed for 560 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for an offense that ranks 30th in scoring (13.3 points per game) and 27th in total yardage (276.3).

In the offseason, Jacksonville rewarded Lawrence with a five-year, $275 million extension that paid him like an elite quarterback. But in the wake of the Buffalo debacle, Pederson said pulling Lawrence in favor of backup Mac Jones is an option if things don’t improve.

The Texans don’t have a quarterback problem as second-year pro C.J. Stroud has stood out from the outset of his pro career.

Stroud led Houston to a 10-7 record as a rookie and guided the squad to a playoff victory. This season, he has completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 709 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

However, Stroud and the Texans were whipped 34-7 by the host Minnesota Vikings last weekend. Stroud passed for 215 yards and a touchdown but also was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Houston also was flagged for 11 penalties.

“They kicked our butts, kudos to those guys,” Stroud said Wednesday. “It is Week 4 now. We are going to move on. We are going to play against the Jaguars, who are a good team and focus on that.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans views the Jaguars as a fierce foe. Though Houston has won 10 of the past 12 meetings between the teams, Jacksonville earned a split last season.

“We will have a division opponent coming into our house,” Ryans said. “It’s going to be a tough matchup. We both know each other very well and it’s going to be a fight, so we’re looking forward to the matchup.”

Running back Joe Mixon totaled 184 rushing yards over his first two games with the Texans but sat out the Minnesota game with an ankle injury. He was limited in Friday’s practice and is likely to be a game-time decision.

Texans receiver Tank Dell (chest), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) were all ruled out on Friday.

Jaguars standout linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (foot) was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will miss at least four games. Tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) and safety Darnell Savage (quadricep) will each miss their third straight game.

–Field Level Media