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Jaguars updated depth chart at linebacker after latest roster move
The Jacksonville Jaguars' latest roster maneuver, promoting Branson Combs from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster, is a classic front-office play that speaks volumes about their priorities in the grueling trench warfare of an NFL season. While the casual observer might overlook a special teams specialist, this move is a masterclass in valuing the unsung heroes who win the field position battles that so often decide games.Combs isn't just a warm body; he's a proven commodity in the kicking game, having already been elevated twice this season and logging 32 snaps across four different special teams units. His promotion signals a deliberate reinforcement of the team's core strength in this phase, joining a linebacker corps that already reads like a who's who of special teams aces.According to Pro Football Focus, Dennis Gardeck, Ventrell Miller, Jack Kiser, and Yasir Abdullah all rank within the top ten on the team in special teams snaps, creating a formidable coverage and return unit that can consistently flip the field. This depth is crucial, as it allows defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to deploy his top defensive weapons, Devin Lloyd and Foye Oluokun, without overextending them.Lloyd, the sideline-to-sideline playmaker, and Oluokun, the tackling machine, form one of the league's more formidable starting duos, but their effectiveness is amplified by the knowledge that the unit behind them is stout. When Lloyd was sidelined, Ventrell Miller seamlessly stepped into the middle linebacker role, demonstrating the kind of next-man-up mentality that defines playoff contenders, while Gardeck provides reliable depth as the third linebacker in base 4-3 packages.To make room for Combs, the Jaguars made the difficult but necessary decision to release defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, a calculated risk that underscores the constant roster juggling act. It’s a move reminiscent of how legendary coaches like Bill Belichick have always valued special teams proficiency, understanding that a dominant unit there is like having an extra defender on the field.The current linebacker depth chart—Lloyd, Oluokun, Gardeck, Miller, Kiser, Abdullah, and now Combs—isn't just a list of names; it's a carefully constructed ecosystem designed for sustainability. In a league where attrition is inevitable, having a seventh linebacker who is a core-four special teamer provides invaluable insurance.This strategic depth allows the Jaguars to weather the storm of a long season, ensuring that when the fourth quarter arrives in a critical divisional game, they have the fresh, disciplined legs needed to make a game-changing play. It’s a lesson in team-building that transcends football: success isn't just about your stars, but about the strength and cohesion of your entire unit, from the first name on the roster to the last.
#Jacksonville Jaguars
#NFL
#linebacker depth chart
#Branson Combs
#special teams
#Devin Lloyd
#Foye Oluokun
#featured
