Foley Fatukasi injury could put stress on Jacksonville Jaguars' thin defensive line group

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without one of the team's key players for a bit after defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi suffered a quadriceps injury during the second quarter of the Jaguars' 29-21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) on Sunday.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Jaguars (2-2) head coach Doug Pederson stated that Fatukasi would be "day-to-day" moving forward. Pederson did not immediately expand on the extent of Fatukasi's injury.

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Fatukasi missed most of training camp this summer due to a calf injury suffered during the first week of camp. He wouldn't make a full return from the injury until Week 1 against the Washington Commanders and hasn't suffered a setback because of the injury since then.

The new injury for Fatukasi appeared, during the game, to be to his right quadriceps muscle. On the play, Fatukasi took on an Eagles blocker and stumbled out after the play went in the opposite direction. He did not return to the contest.

Though it remains unclear as of Tuesday whether or not Fatukasi will miss significant time or any time at all, his potential absence could give Jacksonville some issues moving forward.

Fatukasi's potential absence could spell trouble for Jaguars defensive line

Prior to his injury, Fatukasi played as one of the anchors on the Jacksonville defensive line.

The Eagles ran 12 plays that resulted in carries prior to Fatukasi missing the rest of the contest. He was on the field for seven of those carries. The defense surrendered just 14 net rushing yards, including a four-yard scramble by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

When Fatukasi wasn't on the field, the team surrendered five rushes for 25 net rushing yards, with one scramble by Hurts of 13 yards.

The loss of the team's veteran defensive lineman wouldn't really be felt until later on in the contest when the Eagles rushed for 171 net rushing yards, totaling 210, including three kneel-downs at the end of the contest.

Pederson was asked about Fatukasi's importance following the contest, saying that it makes the team a "little bit thin" at the position.

“He’s a big part of the run defense obviously and pushes the pocket ... But I thought the guys around him stepped up, did a nice job. But we will see where he’s at, try to get him healthy for next week," Pederson said.

Jacksonville entered Sunday's contest against Philly as the best run-defense in the league, giving up just 55 yards per game on the ground.

The Jaguars currently have just five players listed as either a defensive tackle or defensive lineman on its roster, including Fatukasi. The other players are Davon Hamilton (DT), Dawaune Smoot (DL), Roy Robertson-Harris (DL) and Adam Gotsis (DL). Only Hamilton is listed at over 290 pounds.

Smoot primarily plays a hybrid position inside as a pass rusher but has shown plenty of ability against the run in the past, too.

In Fatukasi's absence on Sunday, Gotsis played a season-high 58 snaps, playing as a down lineman beside either Hamilton or Robertson-Harris on any given play. Gotsis previously played just 54 snaps through the team's first three contests combined.

Though Jacksonville would be down to just four defensive linemen on the active roster if Fatukasi must miss time, the team has veteran DL Corey Peters and rookie DL Israel Antwine on its practice squad. Both players could see time moving forward, likely called up to the active game-day roster if needed.

The Jaguars will take on the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 9 at TIAA Bank Field. They'll be tested on the ground, yet again with Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce finding his groove as the team's lead tailback.

This past weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pierce ran for 131 yards on 14 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown. His style of running has the potential to wear down a defense, something Jacksonville will have to be ready for with or without Fatukasi.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: DL Foley Fatukasi's calf injury will negatively impact Jaguars defense