Jaguars Week 2 Report: Kirk Out, Brown Shines

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had much positive to show for it in a frustrating start to the 2024 season, going 0-2.

Contents

Jaguars defensive snap count in Week 2:
Jaguars Week 2 Offensive Snap Count

MORE JAGUAR NEWS:

The performance of Jacksonville’s young defense was a bright spot.

After holding the Miami Dolphins’ prolific offense to 20 points in Week 1, the Jaguars held the Cleveland Browns out of the end zone starting in the second quarter of an 18-13 home loss. The defensive secondary was particularly notable Sunday, without No. 1 cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) and starting safety Darnell Savage (quad).

The Jaguars have relied on local talent to fill the void. According to PFFSafety Antonio Johnson (2023 fifth-round pick), cornerback Montaric Brown (2022 seventh-round pick) and rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones (2024 third-round pick) were among the team’s snap leaders against the Browns.

Jaguars defensive snap count in Week 2:

Antonio Johnson, S — 72
André Cisco, v. S. — 70
Montaric Brown, CB —69
Ronald Darby, CB — 60
Foyesade Oluokun, LB — 59
Jarrian Jones, CB — 57
Travon Walker, DE — 55
Josh Hines-Allen, DE — 53
Roy Robertson-Harris, DT — 49
Devin Lloyd, LB — 48
Jérémie Ledbetter, DT — 36
Arik Armstead, DT — 34
DaVon Hamilton, DT — 27
Esezi Otomewo, DT — 25
Ventrell Miller, LB — 13
Chad Muma, LB — 13
Yasser Abdullah, LB — 13
Myles Cole, DE — 13
Tre Flowers, CB — 11
Deantre Prince, CB — 11
Daniel Thomas, S — 4

Brown was the hero of Jacksonville’s defense Sunday, leading the team with 11 tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage. He’s been a key piece of the team’s depth throughout his three seasons. six games to come in 2023 Campbell has been in and out of the lineup with soft tissue injuries. His snap count skyrocketed in this game, and that should continue into next Monday night’s game in Buffalo.

With Savage out, Jones got more opportunities at nickel and struggled in coverage. Johnson was on the field more than any other Jaguars defender and had some tough moments of his own, including a roughing the passer penalty in the third quarter that helped the Browns score.

Jacksonville’s most notable defensive player against the Browns? It was Josh Hines-Allen, who recorded seven QB pressures and two carries, according to PFF.

On offense, the inability to sustain attacks and score points backfired on the Jaguars for the second straight week.

Jaguars Week 2 Offensive Snap Count

Brandon Scherff, RG — 60
Mitch Morse, C — 60
Cam Robinson, LT — 60
Ezra Cleveland, LG — 60
Anton Harrison, RT — 60
Trevor Lawrence, QB — 60
Gabe Davis, receiver — 57
Christian Kirk, WR — 53
Brian Thomas Jr., receiver — 44
Travis Etienne Jr., RB — 43
Brenton Strange, TE — 41
Luke Farrell, TE — 28
From Ernest Johnson, RB — 17
Parker Washington, WR — 13
Devin Duvernay, receiver — 3
Walker Little, occupational therapist — 1

Jacksonville was without starting tight end Evan Engram, who was pulled in the last minute with a hamstring injury suffered in pregame warmups. It proved to be a major blow to a passing game that has lacked cohesion to start the season.

Trevor Lawrence had a 66-yard reception to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but the star rookie was targeted just four times in the game. Part of the problem is that Gabe Davis — not Thomas or Christian Kirk — continues to operate as the team’s WR1. He led all receivers in snaps for the second straight game, and also led the team in targets Sunday with seven. The former Buffalo Bills fourth-round pick finished with three receptions for 43 yards.

Kirk, one of the receivers Lawrence should really have chemistry with, was invisible in this gamesomehow finishing with negative receiving yards on three targets while playing over 85 percent of the offensive snaps. Kirk has just two receptions for 29 yards through the first two weeks of the season.