Doug Pederson Explains Why DaVon Hamilton Was a Healthy Scratch in Jaguars' Win Over Titans

DaVon Hamilton playing zero snaps vs. the Titans was not something many people outside of EverBank Stadium expected.

The biggest surprise from the Jacksonville Jaguars' 34-14 win over the Tennessee Titans didn't come on the field. Instead, it came on the inactive list.

Veteran defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton was surprisingly among the Jaguars' inactives on Sunday despite not showing up on the injury report all week. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed after the game that Hamilton was a healthy scratch and it was Pederson's own decision, a decision that is rooted in Hamilton missing the first-half of the season and the last half of training camp.  

"It was a healthy scratch. Listen, I'm not going to get into all of it with him because he and I and we've had some conversations with him and all of that, but it was healthy," Pederson said. "I just want to make sure that he is mentally and physically ready to go. As you guys know, we're not going to put somebody out there to risk anything further, and it was the decision by me to just hold him one week, see where he's at, and get him more practice time, get him more reps, get him back to where he was a year ago. He's missed a lot of time."

Hamilton was placed on injured reserve before Week 1 with a non-football-related medical issue with his back. He then missed the first seven games of the season, returning in Week 8, playing 14 snaps. Hamilton then played 16 snaps in Week 10 vs. the San Francisco 49ers. 

"You have to understand, he's missed a lot of time. I think it's definitely taken a toll a little bit, but he's busted his tail to be in a position to help us," Pederson said. "I think it's going to be a week-to-week decision, but he understands where we are, and he appreciated that, and we'll see where he's at again this week."

 Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the No. 73 overall pick, Hamilton was the first member of the Jaguars' 2020 class to sign a new deal with the team. Hamilton is the first Jaguars draft pick to sign an extension since Cam Robinson and punter Logan Cooke. Hamilton signed a three-year, $34.5 million extension before the season.