Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen spoke Thursday. Below is a transcript.

Q: On the Eagles quarterback’s sneak play?

Nielsen: “They’re doing a great job – I mean the conversion rate is at an all-time high, right. I mean, so they got arrested, and you just have to – it’s a tension game and you just have to outplay them. I mean, that’s really what it comes down to. You have to play lower than them, you have to push harder than them and they execute it at a high level. We’re going to have to do a really good job of just executing and pushing. And then another thing, let’s not get into that situation. This is a lot easier said than done, but let’s keep them out of third and fourth and one.

Q: On the cover of Eagles WR AJ Brown and WR DeVonta Smith?

Nielsen: “They have very good talents, very good talents. He has been playing at a high level since his return. Physical receiver, really physical, hook point, strong hands. He’s really good at press coverage and getting off the line and he has great speed. So it’s going to be a good challenge. We just have to play our game. We have to step up and make it a physical game for him. We have to play some coverage over the top, so he’s not just catching fade balls and things like what people do. But two very good receivers. And then, thanks to DeVonta’s speed, he can take over any coverage. So just to run it, we’re going to have to play a shell on it. You definitely have to stay on top of these guys and then mix things up. Just keep mixing up the coverages on him just so he doesn’t get a single high read and goes to the X or Z on every play.”

Q: How will the return of S Andrew Wingard change their safety rotation?

Nielsen: “A little bit, but we have the guys who did it – he’s been out for a long time so he’s working to come back. We’d like to have him out there, get a number of shots and see how it goes. But he pushes. He pushes really hard. Yesterday he had a good day, today will be another good test. By the end of the week, we’ll have an idea of ​​exactly how far he’s gone through the week’s process.

Q: On the impact of S Tashaun Gipson Sr.’s return?

Nielsen: “It’s great to have him back. We’re excited, really excited. But he hasn’t trained yet. So everything goes into it. We’re going to get him out there, get him moving. Obviously we need to get the rust out, that sort of thing. Then put him in the rotation and give him a few plays and see where he’s at, then go from there. Where the pieces fall, we simply don’t know. It’s so early and he hasn’t even practiced. So we’ll go through the week and then figure it out from there.

Q: On what he’s seen from CB Jarrian Jones as he settles into the nickel role?

Nielsen: “Yes, confidence. Really, he’s confident. Every game, he even said it after the game, he felt more comfortable there. He’s playing more snaps, the different coverages and the things that position needs to do. Just how he moves and plays physically, and the play he made in the red zone was a big play. Really, really good. Just continue to watch him grow with this post. He could always come out if we need him, but he’s kind of settling into that nickel position and he’s doing a good job right now.

Q: On what happened on the last big pass against Green Bay?

Nielsen: “Yes, of course, I have to change the cover. It’s my fault, I need to change my blanket. So, play a different cover in this situation.

Q: On the question of getting DE Arik Armstead more involved and playing him more inside?

Nielsen: “Yeah, we talked inside, outside, kind of with the guy. When we signed him, it was more of an outside vision and we moved him inside at third, just in terms of depth and so forth, and kind of where he wanted to play and stuff like that. A lot of situational stuff, putting him inside, that’s where he plays in two minutes, things like that. But he can definitely get in. It’s just when do we want to start working him out there and you might see him come here, move inside in nickel situations, things like that. But he has to continue to play the left wing position and it takes a little time to play inside and outside and we have to give him a few more snaps and get him – he’s comfortable in this area, just more snaps to it.”

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