It didn't matter that pass rusher Travon Walker didn't suit up against the Arizona Cardinals. The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to bring the heat early on, and pass rusher Dennis Gardeck is leading the way.
The Cards got the ball first and were putting together a solid drive due in part to Jacksonville's inability to stop tight end Trey McBride. But once they crossed the midfield, they had trouble racking up yards. Later in the possession, quarterback Jacoby Brissett dropped back in third-and-6. He didn't find anyone open, and Gardeck had just enough time to put him on his back.
Dennis Gardeck starts it off with a sack against his former team 😤
JAXvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/FkAitrHQqb
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
The Jaguars are witnessing Dennis Gardeck dominante the Cardinals
This was Gardeck's first sack with the Jags. An eight-year veteran, he signed with them in the offseason after spending eight seasons with the Cardinals. During his stint in the desert, the Sioux Falls product became known for special-teams prowess. However, he also showed the ability to rush the quarterback, registering 20.5 sacks from 2020 to 2024.
In Week 11, the grizzled veteran reminded his old team of what he was capable of doing. Later in the game, Gardeck was flagged for defensive pass interference. Nevertheless, it's clear that he's having the time of his life against his former team. Once the Jags got the offensive possession after his sack, running back Travis Etienne scored Jacksonville's first touchdown of the game.
With the Jags, Gardeck has appeared in 11 games with five starts and logged 32 tackles.
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The Jaguars knew Dennis Gardeck would step up
It wasn't surprising to see Dennis Gardeck rush the passer in Week 12, with Travon Walker out for the game. Sure, the Jags were going to lean on Dawuane Smoot, Dennis Striggow, and B.J. Green II, but head coach Liam Coen told the press that the Jags could take advantage of Gardeck's flexibility during the game.
It's worth noting that Gardeck tore an ACL last year and wasn't fully healthy early in the offseason. Heck, even after he signed with the Jags, he was still recovering from the knee injury. In retrospect, there's no doubt that he's proven to be a valuable pickup.
Although the Jaguars have more notable linebackers, Dennis Gardeck has quickly become a mainstay of the defense. He's slated to become a free agent in 2026, and based on how he's playing, he's making it hard for the front office not to bring him back.