The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season without two of their most explosive offensive weapons—and one of their best defensive players. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Jaguars faced a desperate Arizona Cardinals team already reeling from a seven-game slide. But the real story wasn’t just the scoreboard—it was the roster holes on both sides. Seven Jaguars were ruled inactive, including Travon Walker (knee), Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle), and Jourdan Lewis (neck), while the Cardinals lost six, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. (post-surgery) and Will Johnson (back). The result? A battle of attrition, where depth mattered more than star power.
Defensive Losses Shake Jaguars’ Edge
Travon Walker missing his second game of the season was a gut punch. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick had been a force—11.5 sacks through 10 games, a constant pressure valve on opposing quarterbacks. Without him, the Jaguars turned to veterans and rookies: Dawuane Smoot, 30, who logged a sack and two pressures in Week 11, and rookies Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II, both making their first career starts. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck saw his snap count jump from 38% to 67%, a sign of how much the defense had to shift.Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile didn’t panic. In a Wednesday press conference at the Jillier Electric Center in Jacksonville, he praised Jarrian Jones, the third-year corner stepping in for the injured Jourdan Lewis. "Yeah, he’s been really good for us. Like you said, just a lot of consistency in his play," Campanile said. Jones, who had only 12 career starts before this season, held his ground against the Chargers’ top receivers last week. But facing Trevor Lawrence and a Jaguars offense that averages 27.3 points per game? That’s a different test.
Offensive Gaps and a Surprise Return
The absence of Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter Long left the Jaguars’ passing game thin. Thomas Jr., who had 78 receptions and 10 touchdowns before his ankle injury, was Lawrence’s favorite red-zone target. Long, the reliable blocking tight end with 18 catches, was equally missed. But the team quietly pulled off a smart move: activating Brenton Strange from Injured Reserve. The 2024 third-round pick, sidelined since Week 5 with a quad strain, had been their most productive tight end before going down—20 catches, 189 yards, and excellent run blocking. His return didn’t require a roster cut because the Jaguars had freed up a spot after releasing safety Kahled Hailassie in Week 11.Meanwhile, Cody Schrader—the rookie running back who’d been a surprise spark in the ground game—was a healthy scratch. That’s unusual. It suggests the coaching staff prioritized pass protection over rushing depth, likely to protect Lawrence from a Cardinals blitz-heavy scheme.
Cardinals’ Desperation Deepens
The Cardinals aren’t just injured—they’re unraveling. Their 3-7 record isn’t just bad—it’s historic. After starting 2-0, they’ve lost seven straight. Their defense has allowed 40+ points in two straight games. Their offense? A mess. Starting QB Kyler Murray was sidelined with a foot sprain, forcing Jacoby Brissett back into action. Brissett, 32, has started 81 NFL games, but he’s not the answer Arizona hoped for when they drafted Murray No. 1 overall in 2020.Missing Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix surgery) and Will Johnson (back) gutted their passing game. To fill the void, they promoted Darren Hall from the practice squad. Hall, a 2022 undrafted free agent, has 24 career tackles and zero starts. The secondary now features Max Melton and the questionable Garrett Williams (ankle), who practiced in limited capacity.
Running back Trey Benson (knee) was a question mark—his 21-day return window opened Wednesday, but he didn’t play. The Cardinals’ offense managed just 13 points last week against the Saints. Facing a Jaguars defense that ranks second in the league against the run? That’s a nightmare.
Why This Game Mattered More Than the Record
The Jaguars entered at 6-4, clinging to one of the AFC’s final Wild Card spots. They’re not a powerhouse—but they’re competitive. Losing Walker and Thomas Jr. made their playoff hopes tougher, but not impossible. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were playing for pride, draft position, and maybe even the future of their head coach, Jonathan Gannon. His job security was already under fire after a 2-7 start.It wasn’t just about who played—it was about who didn’t. Twenty-nine total players across both teams were listed on injury reports. Ten didn’t practice all week. The Jaguars’ offense had to adapt without its top two pass-catchers. The Cardinals’ defense had to survive without its best cornerback and a top running back. The game became a test of coaching, depth, and resilience.
What’s Next?
The Jaguars’ next three games are against the Texans, Titans, and Colts—all AFC South rivals. Walker’s knee status will be monitored closely. If he misses Week 13, the defense could be in real trouble. For the Cardinals, the season is essentially over. Their focus now shifts to the 2026 draft. Will they keep Gannon? Will they trade Brissett? Is Marvin Harrison Jr. worth the long-term gamble? Those questions will dominate their offseason.Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Jaguars manage without Travon Walker and Brian Thomas Jr.?
The Jaguars leaned on depth: rookies Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II stepped into Walker’s defensive end role, while veteran Dawuane Smoot anchored the line. Offensively, Brenton Strange’s return from IR provided a reliable target and blocker, helping offset the loss of Thomas Jr. and Hunter Long. Trevor Lawrence adjusted his reads, targeting Christian Kirk and Jaylen Waddle more frequently.
Why was Cody Schrader a healthy scratch despite being a key rusher?
Schrader’s absence signaled a strategic shift: the Jaguars prioritized pass protection over rushing production. With Anton Harrison also out, protecting Trevor Lawrence became more critical than running the ball. The team activated offensive lineman Kellen Diesch instead, showing they were preparing for a high-pressure game against Arizona’s blitz-heavy scheme.
What does Marvin Harrison Jr.’s absence mean for the Cardinals’ future?
Harrison Jr.’s appendix surgery and absence in Week 12 raised concerns about his durability and timing. The Cardinals drafted him 13th overall in 2024 expecting him to be their franchise receiver. Missing seven games this season—including critical late-season matchups—could delay his development and impact their 2026 draft strategy, especially if they’re forced to rebuild their offense entirely.
How did Jarrian Jones perform in his first start as a full-time cornerback?
Jones played 61 snaps and allowed just 3 receptions on 8 targets for 28 yards in Week 12. He broke up a key pass in the red zone and forced a fumble on a screen play. His performance silenced early doubts, proving he’s more than a special teams contributor. The Jaguars may now have a long-term solution at corner, especially if Jourdan Lewis’s neck injury lingers into 2026.
What’s the significance of Brenton Strange’s return for Jacksonville’s playoff push?
Strange’s return gave Trevor Lawrence a reliable target in the middle of the field and improved run-blocking efficiency. His 20 receptions before injury were the most by a Jaguars tight end since 2021. With the offense struggling to move the ball without Thomas Jr., Strange’s presence in two-tight-end sets created mismatches and kept defenses honest, making the Jaguars’ offense more unpredictable in the final stretch.
Could the Cardinals still make the playoffs?
No. With a 3-7 record and four games left—including matchups against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams—the Cardinals mathematically can’t reach a 9-8 record. Even a perfect finish would leave them two games behind the final Wild Card team. Their season is now about evaluating talent, protecting players, and preparing for the 2026 draft, where they hold the No. 1 overall pick.
