The Jaguars activated starting linebacker Foyesade Oluokun from the injured reserve Saturday, making him available to play in Week 8 when Jacksonville hosts the Green Bay Packers.
Oluokun suffered a foot injury during Jacksonville’s Week 3, Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills, which reportedly turned out to be plantar fasciitis. He landed on the injured reserve Sept. 28 and returned to practice this week.
Oluokun led the Jaguars with 22 total tackles on the season at the time of his injury, three of which were for loss including one sack. He also broke up two passes between Weeks 1-3.
Since signing with Jacksonville in 2022, Oluokun has collected 379 tackles with 23 for loss and 5.5 sacks, one interception, 13 defended passes and three forced fumbles.
Filling in at linebacker with Oluokun sidelined was second-year Jaguar Ventrell Miller, who has recorded 38 total tackles including two for loss and one forced fumble since entering the starting lineup in Week 4.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson shared Wednesday that Oluokun and Miller could emerge as Jacksonville’s primary linebacker tandem moving forward considering the latter’s emergence. However, Pederson noted current starter Devin Lloyd remains an important part of the position group.
“I would say, the short answer is yes,” Pederson said. “I think too, you want your best 11 on the field, whatever that looks like. Sometimes it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best football player, but the one that does things right the most.
“But I do still think that there’s enough of a rotational piece with those guys. I think that’s one of the positions that’s gotten better these last couple of weeks has been the linebacker. I think Devin in the middle has gotten better. Ventrell, we know he’s improved. Now with the addition of Foye coming back, if he’s ready to go, I think you’ve got your combinations back that you want.”
Jacksonville vs. Green Bay is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at EverBank Stadium.
