There's a strong chance that Travon Walker won't suit up for the Jacksonville Jaguars when they face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. The fourth-year pass rusher has missed practice after suffering a knee injury in the 35-6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Even if he's available, he may not be at full strength. Fortunately, the Jags have a contingency plan in case he isn't good to go.
The Jaguars could give more snaps to Dawuane Smoot, Danny Striggow, and BJ Green. However, they could also deploy a veteran linebacker at the line of scrimmage.
The Jaguars could have Dennis Gardeck rush the passer vs. the Cardinals
Dennis Gardeck signed with the Jags after the 2025 NFL Draft. An undrafted free agent in 2018, the Sioux Falls product spent his first seven seasons with Arizona. Although he mostly saw playing time on special teams early in his career, he also showed pass-rush capabilities, registering 17 sacks from 2020 to 2024.
When he was in the desert, Gardeck got after the quarterback from a standup position but also played with his hand on the ground at times. If Travon Walker doesn't suit up in the Cardinals game, his flexibility could come in handy.
Aside from becoming a staple on special teams, Gardeck has played 36 percent of the team's defensive snaps, logging 32 tackles and eight total pressures.
The Jaguars may want to take advantage of Dennis Gardeck's versatility
Dennis Gardeck has proved to be a bargain for the Jags, signing a one-year deal worth $2 million in the offseason. His affordable price tag might've been due to the fact that he was coming off an ACL injury, and when he landed in Jacksonville, he was still getting back to full strength.
Liam Coen certainly believes that Gardeck's versatility is an asset, pointing out that this will be a huge game for him.
"Another piece, pivotal piece to where in base defense, right? He's on the edge, being able to do what he does against tight ends or in the run game, shedding blocks," Coen told the media ahead of the Cardinals game (6:48 mark). "And then, Dennis is a very smart football player. You can put him in multiple different spots, whether it be on the edge, to rush in sub defenses, or in, obviously, stand up inside, being able to work the games and work some of the straight rushes on whomever they deem is a good matchup for these guys."
Coen continued, "And so Dennis and I have talked, obviously, a lot this week, knowing that you know him being in that defensive structure for a few years. And you know, I know he wants this one pretty bad, those flip."
Of course, Dennis Gardeck will want to show his former team that they made a mistake when they let him walk, and the Jaguars will benefit if he ends up having a lights-out performance in Week 12.