JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are shuffling the linebackers -- again.

This time it includes something the Jaguars have not yet tried this season: moving weakside linebacker Geno Hayes to the Otto spot. The Otto, which replaces the strongside linebacker in the Jaguars’ defense, lines up close to the line of scrimmage and can rush the passer or drop in coverage depending on the play.

The first time the Jaguars tried that look this week, though, Hayes lined up at his normal spot. That meant the Jaguars had two weakside linebackers and nobody on the other side.

"It’s new for him," coach Gus Bradley said. "Geno is pretty sharp and some of the techniques that we’re asking him to do he’s done before so he has some recall."

Hayes is fifth on the team in tackles (33), but he hasn’t made many impact plays. He has five tackles for loss but no quarterback pressures, interceptions, forced fumbles, or fumble recoveries. He is a seventh-year veteran who has started 66 games, which makes him the team’s most experienced linebacker now that Paul Posluszny (torn pectoral) is done for the season.

"He’s done a good job," defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. "I had him in Chicago [in 2012] and I’m very proud of the effort and the attitude. He’s now the old man on the linebackers unit so he’s accepted that role and has flourished in it so we’re excited about what he’s doing."

With Hayes at Otto, the Jaguars’ plan to start fourth-year player J.T. Thomas in the middle and rookie Telvin Smith on weak side. If the Jaguars are in nickel they’ll either pair Thomas with Smith or Hayes with Smith depending on the coverage.

The Jaguars would like to use rookie Jeremiah George in the middle but he is expected to miss his second game in a row because of a high ankle sprain he suffered against Cincinnati on Nov. 2.