Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin returns to lineup against Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin made his return Sunday against the Tennessee Titans after missing the previous two games because of a concussion.
But he admitted that it's tough to go through a season like the one they are experiencing under first-year coach Urban Meyer with just two wins after the first 13 games.
On Sunday, the Jaguars were shut out 20-0 by the Tennessee Titans, their first shutout loss since 2009, and it's only the fourth time that it has occurred in franchise history.
''We do not want to go out this way,'' Griffin said. ''No one wants to do this; no one wants to go through this. But we are susceptible to go through this and it happens. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe that, but however you accept it and react to it, you have to move on.''
Griffin performed like he hadn't missed a step. He finished with four tackles and had a quarterback hit.
Despite speculation of mounting tension arising between Coach Urban Meyer, players and coaches, Griffin said he is concerned with only what he can control.
''My focus is on the game, each practice and trying to play my best ball,'' Griffin said. ''There is no pointing fingers and whatever is going on this year, you got to be about getting better.''
Jaguars Report Card: Grading the Jaguars game against the Tennessee Titans
Costly flags: Jaguars defense (again) negates a solid effort against the Titans
Historic rushing fail: Jaguars gain a franchise-low 8 yards in 20-0 loss to Tennessee
Linder misses game
Jaguars starting center Brandon Linder missed Sunday's game because of a back injury. He has missed six of the last games. Linder was among five players on the Jaguars' inactive list that included cornerback Tre Herndon, tight end Jacob Hollister, defensive end/outside linebacker Jordan Smith and defensive tackle Jay Tufele. Linder has not played an entire season without injury since 2019. Last year, he started the first nine games before missing the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Career-low day
Running back James Robinson came into Sunday's game having rushed 46 times for 318 yards and two touchdowns in three career games against the Titans. Since 2020, Robinson’s 318 yards are the most by any player in the NFL against Tennessee. But Robinson had a forgettable experience Sunday. He finished with a career-low 4 yards rushing on six carries. The Jaguars totaled a franchise-low 8 yards rushing. Jacksonville's longest run from scrimmage was 5 yards.
Low scoring quarters
A significant problem for the Jaguars has occurred in the third quarter — they have been outscored 90-28 going into Sunday's game. In the first quarter, the Jags had been outscored 85-32. The Titans outscored the Jaguars 7-0 in each of the first and third quarters. After the first quarter, the Titans had a 101-7 advantage in total yardage against the Jaguars.
Allen goes without sack again
Outside linebacker Josh Allen's streak of not registering a sack extended to five consecutive games. Allen has 5.5 sacks but has not registered one since the Buffalo Bills game on Nov. 7. Against the Titans, Allen had two tackles.
Top punter
Jaguars' Logan Cooke has placed 27 punts inside the 20, the third-most in the NFL. Cooke became the only punter in the NFL with at least 25 punts inside the 20 and one or more touchbacks. Cooke was busy Sunday, punting five times for a 45.0 average. He had three punts drop inside the 20.
Jones returns for Titans
Titans wide receiver Julio Jones returned from injured reserve and four of six targets against the Jaguars for 33 yards. His longest catch went for 16 yards. Yulee native Derrick Henry missed the game because he is recovering from foot surgery. The Titans also were without wide receiver A.J. Brown, who went on injured reserve Nov. 27 with a chest injury.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin returns to lineup against Titans
