The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without linebacker Daryl Smith on Sunday and will very likely be without cornerback Derek Cox. Cox has been out of action for a few weeks dealing with a hamstring injury missing much of the NFL preseason. The cornerback position, while deep, is becoming thin like the linebacker position as the team is trying to get players healthy.

Rashean Mathis is back in action, but will be used only in nickel packages early in the season and now Cox is likely out of the lineup. In Mathis' place in the base formation will be Aaron Ross while either Kevin Rutland or William Middleton will be playing in Cox's spot on the defense.

The Jaguars defense should still be able to limit the Vikings offensively, but not having two of your best defenders on the field will have an affect. Both Cox and Smith are impact players for the Jaguars defense.