The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary could be stretched Sunday, as the team has ruled out safety Antonio Johnson for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson (ankle) did not practice on Friday after initially suffering his ankle injury in the second quarter of the team's Week 6 London matchup versus the Houston Texans. His absence clearly puts more pressure on a safety room that has already dealt with attrition earlier this season with Eric Murray, who dealt with a Week 4 concussion that kept him out of Week 5. Those combined injuries, between weeks 5 and 6 resulted in safety Kaevon Merriweather playing increased snaps on defense:
Week 5: 21 defensive snaps (33.9%) and 12 special teams snaps (44.4%)
Week 6: 43 defensive snaps (68.3%) and 9 special teams snaps (31.0%)
With Johnson now out, the expectation is that Merriweather will receive his first start of the 2026 season. Liam Coen discussed Merriweather in Friday's media availability.
"Need Kayvon to continue to step up and evolve. Being with him in Tampa, he was a guy that helped on teams and played his tail off there, but was also able to step in started 8 games."
In addition to the Johnson update, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (hamstring/ankle) also did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable, though he spoke with Florida Times Union's Demetrius Harvey following practice, advising that he "felt okay." Meyers was listed on Wednesday and Thursday's injury report as a limited participant with only a hamstring issue, before sitting out Friday's session with an additional ankle issue that would have presumably occurred on Thursday. His status could come down to game day, with rain and a wet field in the forecast for Sunday.
Running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hamstring), defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (ankle), linebacker Jahlani Tavai (hamstring), and long snapper Ross Matiscik (shoulder) were all limited on Friday and carry no game-day injury designation. Additionally, cornerback Montaric Brown (hamstring), defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle), and tight end Brenton Strange (eye) were each full participants and expected to play.
Notably, there has been no update on the 21-Day windows being opened for offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (back), rotational edge BJ Green (elbow), or rookie defensive end Zach Durfee (upper body). Each player has been on the injured reserve for at least four weeks, with the potential to return as the team comes off the Week 7 bye week.
The Colts, on Friday, ruled out wide receiver and starting punt returner Anthony Gould (concussion). Gould is out even though he practiced fully on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, starting slot cornerback Justin Walley (knee) is out Sunday after not practicing all week. Starting linebacker Bryce Boettcher (groin) and tight end Drew Ogletree (knee) are both questionable. Boettcher has not practiced all week.
