Jaguars contemplating rookie swap at linebacker vs. Ravens – Jacksonville Jaguars Weblog

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rookie linebacker Chad Muma might make his first begin for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Muma is among the few lively NFL gamers identified to be taking part in with Kind 1 diabetes. One other? Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews, who Muma may have the prospect to line up in opposition to when the Ravens journey to Jacksonville. November, by the best way, is Diabetes Consciousness Month.

“It’s type of all coming collectively proper this week,” Muma stated.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell aren’t saying whether or not Muma will certainly substitute fellow rookie Devin Lloyd within the beginning lineup, in order that will not be revealed till Sunday. However the third-round select of Wyoming is unquestionably going to be getting considerably extra taking part in time within the last seven video games.

It’s partly attributable to Muma’s enchancment because the season has progressed but in addition as a result of Lloyd, whom the Jaguars chosen 27^th general, has struggled since his scorching begin.

“Consistency [in Muma’s play], however I feel, too, it helps, generally, in Devin’s case, simply popping out of the sport and seeing it from the sidelines, seeing just a little completely different perspective,” Pederson stated. “Permitting Chad to get beneficial reps, it’s lots like Buster [CB Montaric Brown] taking part in and getting beneficial reps at nook and seeing the place Chad is with all the things.

“Proper now, he’s been type of restricted to particular groups. He is an efficient linebacker, and we need to get him on the sector.”

Muma acquired essentially the most in depth taking part in time of his profession within the Jaguars’ loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Nov. 13, taking part in a season-high 25 defensive snaps. He was on the sector late within the first half and performed extra within the second and completed with six tackles, together with 4 solo tackles.

Muma had performed double-digit defensive snaps in just one different recreation (11 in opposition to the Houston Texans on Oct. 9) this season. Most of his taking part in time has been on particular groups — he’s fourth on the group with seven particular groups tackles.

“Reflecting again on that first preseason recreation, the Corridor of Fame recreation, it felt actually quick in comparison with the final recreation in opposition to Kansas Metropolis,” Muma stated. “It actually slowed down for me. I used to be in a position to see performs faster, react sooner, and so I am feeling extra assured now.

“… I really feel far more assured in my protection abilities, whether or not it is previously recreation, and likewise simply utilizing my palms. When an offensive lineman would come as much as me I can have interaction them higher and get off and make a play.”

Lloyd was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for September after compiling 24 tackles and intercepting two passes and breaking apart 4 others, however he hasn’t constructed on that. He has missed assignments and gotten out of place at instances and Pederson admitted they benched him late within the first half of the Chiefs recreation.

Lloyd did play within the second half however completed with a season-low 38 defensive snaps (60%) in that recreation. He had performed each defensive snap in six of the Jaguars’ 9 earlier video games.

“I began off scorching after which the previous couple of weeks it wasn’t pretty much as good as I used to be to start with,” Lloyd stated. “For me, it is simply going out and simply executing, making performs that I do know I could make and actually simply belief my capability.”

Lloyd stated he’s going to attempt to make the very best out of his decreased taking part in time and concentrate on persevering with to develop over the ultimate seven video games.

“I do know what Doug had talked about, [that] generally from the sideline you get just a little bit completely different perspective,” he stated. “Me personally, I really like taking part in. I really like taking part in the sport. I clearly do not need to exit however for me, it is simply all about development. As excellent as we wish it to be, it is by no means going to be excellent. So for me, it is nearly studying from my errors and ensuring they do not occur once more [and] persevering with to progress every single day.”