Dolphins host Saints, Jaguars visit Titans | NFL preview video
The Dolphins return from a bye week to host New Orleans; the Jaguars hit the road to play at Tennessee; and the Bucs welcome Arizona.
The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 21-day practice window for safety Eric Murray to return from injured reserve.
Murray was placed on the team’s IR list after Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams in London due to a neck injury. He had to miss four games before returning, per league rules.
Murray was signed to a three-year, $22.5 million contract with $12 million in guaranteed money earlier this offseason as one of general manager James Gladstone’s first players brought in.
Through seven games this season, Murray totaled four pass breakups, an interception, 34 total tackles (19 solos) and a quarterback hit.
“Great to just get him back out on the grass. Hopefully, the communication, the ability to continue to calm things down with his presence,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Wednesday morning when asked about Murray.
The Jaguars have used both third-year safety Antonio Johnson and rookie Rayuan Lane to help replace Murray’s production on the field. Through four games, Coen said he’s seen improvement out of both of them.
“I really believe that Antonio Johnson has stepped up in a major way. I thought the last few weeks, specifically, Dewey [Andrew Wingard] has also played some good football for us, and Rayuan Lane has stepped up in a big way with the amount of [snaps], he played the most snaps I think this past week,” said Coen.
Coen said getting Murray back will help, but he did not indicate whether or not Murray would be activated this week.
The Jaguars signed veteran safety Juan Thornhill to the practice squad last week and recently signed rookie safety Trevian Thomas to the practice squad as well.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne nominated for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
Murray wasn’t the only Jaguars player to receive some good news Wednesday.
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne was chosen as the team’s 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominee, the league announced.
All 32 teams nominate a player for the award, given to individuals around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship. The award was created in 2014 to honor the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney Sr.
“Sportsmanship is at the very the core of the game, the foundation of our values that are shared across all levels of the sport,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees demonstrate to the world how the game is played with respect and integrity at the highest level of competition.”
The award is given to the player who best demonstrates the qualities of “on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity in competition.”
This year, Etienne has been one of the team’s most consistent players. He’s totaled 815 yards on the ground, five touchdowns (74.1 rushing yards per game), for 4.8 yards per carry. He’s caught 24 passes and two receiving touchdowns.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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