The Jaguars’ Special Teams Problem Just Got More Complicated

Following Wednesday’s injury report and roster moves, Sunday’s Jacksonville Jaguars matchup versus the Denver Broncos just became much more unpredictable. However, the reason has less to do with the offensive or defensive depth chart than it does with a unit Jacksonville has been quietly struggling to get right since the preseason.

BJ Green Loss Hurts More Than Pass Rush

When the Jacksonville Jaguars officially placed B.J. Green II on Injured Reserve (IR) early Wednesday, the immediate conversation centered on the pass rush depth. That is understandable, as Green’s four-sack performance in the Teal and White scrimmage and his consistent growth as a rotational edge rusher throughout training camp made him one of the summer’s more noticeable candidates to take a second-year leap. But the loss that matters more, for the near future, goes beyond the defensive snap count, as Green was primarily a special teams player in 2025 (42 percent snap share), with a rotational edge presence.

Advertisement

His defensive snap share sat at just 9.6 percent on the depth chart entering the 2026 season; what made him valuable to this roster on a week-to-week basis was his work on the special teams units, particularly kickoff coverage. And that is exactly where his injury happened. Liam Coen confirmed Wednesday that Green was hurt on the opening kickoff of the Browns game. He was injured while working to cure one of Jacksonville’s most publicly vulnerable areas across both the 2026 preseason and the regular season opener. “He’ll be out for a little bit here and we announced that we’re putting him on IR,” Coen said Wednesday. “Unfortunate for B.J., did it on the first play of the game and really played another, like, 15 snaps with an injury. And so, it kind of tells you about the guy, the type of dude that he is.”

The grit to play through an elbow injury for fifteen additional snaps is notable. So is the fact that one of Jacksonville’s most dependable special teams contributors was hurt before the defense played a single snap. An area of opportunity potential took a step back.

Numbers Behind The Coverage Problem

Green’s absence adds urgency to a problem that was already visible. In Week 1 against the Browns, Jacksonville’s kickoff coverage unit allowed Cleveland returner Raheim Sanders to average 43.3 yards on three returns, including a 74-yard return in the third quarter that gave the Browns their best field position of the game. And while the Jaguars won 34-10, comfortably enough that the special teams lapses did not define the outcome, in a tighter game, they would have.

Advertisement

Most fans likely know that this pattern didn’t just begin in Week 1. Coverage concerns on kickoffs were a recurring theme during the 2026 preseason, and the issue has carried directly into the regular season. Losing Green, who was a consistent contributor on that unit, does not simplify the problem.

Notable 2026 Kickoff Returns

Jack Kiser: The Plug-and-Play Solution?

The activation of linebacker Jack Kiser from the practice squad to the 53-man roster is directly connected to Green’s absence, and the primary purpose is special teams. Kiser is not expected to push into the linebacker rotation behind Foye Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, and Branson Combs. All three performed well in Week 1 and their roles are clearly defined, following Kiser’s preseason placement on the practice squad. What Kiser offers is the special teams experience and versatility to step directly into Green’s coverage unit role. His familiarity with Jacksonville’s special teams system, instead of an outside addition, makes him the most natural fit to absorb those responsibilities over the next month.

A Break for Heath Farwell’s Unit?

Denver’s Wednesday injury report became genuinely significant with two of the Broncos’ primary contributors in the return game both listed as estimated did not participate following Monday Night Football. Their potential absence could directly benefit a Jacksonville coverage unit that has yet to find its footing in 2026.

Running Back RJ Harvey

Advertisement

Harvey suffered a hamstring injury during Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs and did not practice Wednesday. His 2026 value to Denver seems to extend across multiple dimensions, as on Monday he handled 55 percent of the offensive snaps, drew four targets in the passing game, and served as the team’s primary kick returner with four returns averaging 27.8 yards. His rushing contribution of three carries for 18 yards understates the overall role he plays. For example, JK Dobbins carried the ground game load with eight runs for 36 yards at 40 percent of the snaps, but drew zero targets in the passing game, a meaningful hit to the passing game if Harvey cannot go. Additionally, should Harvey remain a DNP on Thursday’s injury report, Jacksonville’s coverage unit could be eyeing the potential of a considerably less threatening kick return game on Sunday.

Wide Receiver Marvin Mims Jr.

Mims is Denver’s primary punt returner and was also listed as an estimated did not participate with a foot injury. On Monday, he brought back two punts for 36 yards against the Chiefs, an 18.0-yard average. His potential absence would remove another dangerous special teams weapon, this time in the punt return game. Both injuries are listed as estimates ahead of an official practice report to come later. Players not being listed as a DNP on the first day of a short week is a pretty normal occurrence around the NFL. Because of the specific injuries listed, however, the Thursday designations will be a clearer indicator of where each player stands heading into the weekend. Foot issues and hamstrings can often be trickier and/or potentially longer injury types. The lingering possibility of Denver taking the field Sunday without either of their primary returners, against a Jacksonville coverage unit that has been searching for answers since the preseason, is easily the most important special teams storyline of the entire Week 2 slate.

BJ Ojulari Added to Practice Squad

To address the pass rush depth created by Green’s absence, Jacksonville signed former Arizona Cardinals edge rusher BJ Ojulari to the practice squad. Ojulari, 24, was a second-round pick out of LSU in 2023, 41st overall, who posted 40 tackles and 4.0 sacks in a promising rookie campaign before tearing his ACL in 2024 training camp and missing the entire season. He returned for eight games in 2025, recording one sack, before being waived by Arizona in August. He carries legitimate developmental upside, while allowing Jacksonville an opportunity to confirm his progress towards bouncing back to his rookie ability. He also gives Jacksonville a potential elevation candidate if the pass rush depth were to require additional depth.

Advertisement

Career NFL Statistics

What are your thoughts on the BJ Ojulari signing, the BJ Green placement on IR, and Jack Kiser re-joining the active roster? Let us know in the comments!