The Jacksonville Jaguars are making moves right before their showdown with Denver, officially elevating quarterback Nick Mullens and linebacker Jalen McLeod from the practice squad to the active roster. This isn’t just a standard roster shuffle; it’s a clear signal on the eve of a crucial game, bringing a familiar face and a promising talent back into the fold for the Jaguars’ upcoming matchup.
Mullens Returns To Backup Duty With Denver Looming
Look, Mullens, at 31 years old, isn’t new to this scene. He was right there with the Jaguars last season, serving as Trevor Lawrence’s backup throughout 2025. What’s interesting is his limited action last week against the Cleveland Browns. He stepped in during the fourth quarter, sure, but only after the Jaguars had already built a comfortable lead against Cleveland. It wasn’t a high-pressure situation, but it shows the team’s trust in his ability to come in and manage the game. Mullens first joined the league as an undrafted rookie in 2017 with San Francisco, so he’s seen plenty of action and pressure over the years. Bringing him up again, especially for a game like this against Denver, definitely tells you the Jaguars want to ensure they have every possible option ready for whatever tomorrow throws their way. It’s all about depth, and Mullens provides that veteran presence the Jaguars clearly value when it comes to the most important position on the field.
Jalen McLeod Finally Gets His Shot After Injury Setback
Then there’s Jalen McLeod, a guy who Jaguars fans should be absolutely buzzing about. The 24-year-old linebacker spent his entire 2025 season on the injured reserve list, which had to be brutal for a player with his potential. The Jaguars drafted him in the sixth round, 194th overall, in the 2025 draft, clearly seeing something special in him. He’s a Washington, D.C., native who tore it up in college, first at Appalachian State from 2020-22 and then at Auburn in 2023-24. McLeod’s final college season in 2024 was nothing short of spectacular, where he stacked up some seriously impressive numbers in just 12 games: 57 tackles, a massive 13.5 tackles for loss, and a whopping 8.0 sacks. That kind of production screams playmaker! Now, after a year on the sidelines, he’s finally getting his shot on the active roster. For a guy who’s been itching to prove himself, this Denver game could be his big moment to show the Jaguars’ coaching staff exactly what they’ve been missing. You know he’s going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
So, as the Jaguars prepare to face Denver tomorrow, all eyes will be on how these two roster additions impact the team. Mullens is ready if needed, and McLeod is finally getting his chance to unleash that incredible college talent on the NFL stage. Jacksonville fans have plenty to look forward to with these guys.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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