He has played next to a Pro Bowl tackle since 2002, and the Jaguars believe DT John Henderson is playing his best football even without DT Marcus Stroud in the lineup.
“Watch the tape in any detail [and you see] John Henderson is dominating,” Jags Coach Jack Del Rio said. “John Henderson is playing football. There’s some good things going on there, and we just want to build around them.”
Henderson is accustomed to playing his part in the Jags’ Twin Towers defensive front. He and Stroud form one of the more physically imposing tackle tandems in the NFL.
Stroud has garnered more recognition, but he has missed two games with a bone bruise on his ankle and is questionable for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia. Without Stroud, Henderson told himself he had to play harder and smarter.
“I’m just trying to handle the load, just trying to go out there and make all the plays,” he said. “All I want to do is win.”
He’s had to make plays while continuing the education process of linebackers playing out of position, of rookie linebackers and of some new teammates next to him, Montavious Stanley and Tony McDaniel, a fellow Tennessee alum.
He’s also had to deal with some extra attention. Without Stroud to block, centers and guards are concentrating on the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Henderson.
“I feel like they’re staying on me a little longer than they used to,” he said. “They usually come off me and go get Mike Pete [linebacker Mike Peterson, now injured]. But I just deal with it.”
Leftwich sits out
QB Byron Leftwich continues to be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia, but he did not take a snap in practices Thursday. All the snaps were taken by backup David Garrard, who increasingly looks as if he will start Sunday.
Del Rio could make a QB decision today.
Also Thursday, the Jags ruled out OL Stockar McDougle (ankle) for Sunday and listed WR Matt Jones as questionable. Stroud remains doubtful.
