JACKSONVILLE - The AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars will be without two of their top defensive veterans for the remainder of the 2026 season after nose tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray both sustained season-ending injuries during Sunday’s 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium.
Hamilton, one of the NFL’s best nose tackles and a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s run defense, suffered a quadriceps injury in the second quarter. Murray, a veteran leader in a young secondary, went down on the opening kickoff with an elbow injury. The Jaguars, now 5-2 and atop the AFC South, must replace both starters before Thursday’s road game against the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) at M&T Bank Stadium.
“Disappointing, for sure, for both of those guys,” coach Coen said Monday. “It’s going to be tested now more than ever with D-Ham and Murray, specifically - two veteran football players, starters. Not only that, but unbelievable human beings and leaders on this football team.”
Coen said the defensive tackle position will be handled by committee, with twelve-year veteran Arik Armstead, seventh-year veteran Matt Dickerson, third-year veteran Ruke Orhorhoro and rookie Albert Regis stepping into expanded roles. The team also signed veteran Austin Johnson - who spent last season with the Jaguars - to the practice squad Monday. Rookie defensive tackle T.J. Bollers is also available on the practice squad. “Those guys are obviously going to have to step up,” Coen said. “It’s going to be by committee. Those guys are all going to have to play meaningful snaps for us.”
At safety, fourth-year veterans Antonio Johnson and Kaevon Merriweather, second-year veteran Rayuan Lane III and rookie Jalen Huskey will carry the load. Lane delivered a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first half Sunday, while Huskey - a third-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft - recorded a fourth-quarter sack. Merriweather added two tackles and a quarterback hit. Second-year veteran Caleb Ransaw remains on injured reserve, and first-year veteran Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig is on the practice squad.
LinebackerFola Oluokon credited the team’s depth culture for keeping the roster ready. “We have a lot of talent on this team,” Oluokon said. “It’s good that everybody has that kind of inner competition, not against anybody on the team, but just feeling like they’re ready to play and they can step up and make plays for the team. You hear it all the way from camp until now, like, ‘I want my time, when is my time going to come,’ for really anybody on the team.”
Coen echoed that sentiment, pointing to roster construction as the reason teams can absorb injuries. “It’s the reason why you try to have depth and try to draft and acquire the right type of people that can stay the course, even when they’re maybe not getting as much playing time as they would like early on,” he said.
Antonio Johnson, who missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, is uncertain for Thursday. “We’ll see,” Coen said. “Hopefully [Tuesday], when we actually jog around and move around more out on the grass, we’ll have a better feel.” Monday’s injury report also listed running back Bhayshul Tuten (ankle/foot) and defensive end Travon Walker (rib) as non-participants, with six other players - including wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and guard Ezra Cleveland - listed as limited. The Jaguars face the Ravens on Thursday night in Baltimore.