Said Hamilton, “It was another moment for our team to really understand who we are, what we’re building here, and I think that was just another moment for us all to come together and bond together.”
The Jaguars on Sunday not only came from behind to tie or lead four times in the second half, they did so with multiple players out or dealing with injuries. Rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, safety Eric Murray and linebacker Devin Lloyd all were on injured reserve or ruled out entering he game, with wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown, guard Ezra Cleveland and cornerback Jourdan Lewis all leaving the game with injuries and unavailable in overtime.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played through illness against the Raiders, with two players who began the week on the practice squad – wide receivers Tim Jones and Austin Trammell – turning in key plays in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“It says they’re true professionals and they’re ready for that moment,” Etienne said. “Always next man up, you never know when your opportunities are going to come, you’ve got to be ready for your op.
“We had a bunch of guys ready for their op. It kind of shows you that your hard work never goes unnoticed.”
Hamilton, a third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, turned in one of the Jaguars’ biggest and most resilient plays Sunday. One play after the Raiders pulled to within 30-29, Hamilton defensed Raiders quarterback Geno Smith’s two-point conversion pass with :16 remaining, securing the victory and ending a two-game losing streak – and pulling to within a game and a half of the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) in the AFC South.