Jaguars Will Be Without Defensive Star Against Colts
Oct 31, 2026 12:44 AM
Updated Oct 31, 2026 3:40 AM

The Jaguars will be without one of their best defensive players for Sunday's divisional showdown with the Colts.

The Jacksonville Jaguars square off against another divisional opponent on Sunday. 

The Jaguars return from their bye week and will take on the Indianapolis Colts at home at EverBank Stadium. It will be the first game the team has played in its own stadium since Week 3, all the way back on September 27. 

This will be Jacksonville’s second straight matchup against an AFC South foe. In Week 6, the Jaguars fell 34-31 to the Houston Texans in the second of back-to-back “home” games in London. 

Despite the loss, the Jaguars own a 2.5-game lead over both the Colts and Texans in the AFC South. 

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Jacksonville should be well-rested and fresh when they take on the Colts. The Jaguars are also a mostly healthy team coming out of the bye. 

Mostly. 

While the Jaguars are still in the early stages of life without starting left tackle Anton Harrison, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, almost everyone on the 53-man roster is good to go. 

Only two Jaguars enter the Week 8 contest against the Colts with an injury designation. 

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is listed as questionable with ankle and hamstring injuries. Although he did not practice Friday, Meyers told Demetrius Harvey that he felt ok.

Unfortunately, the Jaguars will be without one of their defensive stars against the Colts. Safety Antonio Johnson has been ruled out with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 6. Johnson did not practice all week, and his absence will leave the Jaguars without one of their best defensive players.

Kaevon Merriweather will likely start in Johnson's absence.

Pair Set To Return

On a positive note, a pair of Jaguars are set to return Sunday against the Colts.

Cornerback Montaric Brown, who missed the game against the Texans after injuring his hamstring the week prior, will be back on the field.

As will Pro Bowl long snapper Ross Matiscik. Like Brown, Matiscik was also injured in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles and had to miss the Jaguars' game against Houston.

Neither Brown nor Matiscik is carrying an injury designation into Sunday's showdown with the Colts.

Final Thoughts

The loss of Johnson is a big blow to Jacksonville's defense, but this should be a game the Jaguars can win comfortably without him.

The Colts have officially thrown in the white towel this season, trading two of their best players this week: guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, and all eyes will be on whether the Colts trade superstar running back Jonathan Taylor before the November 10 deadline.

Jacksonville has an excellent opportunity to earn another win against a depleted Colts team that has already turned its focus towards the future.

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