The Jacksonville Jaguars have added veteran offensive lineman Gerod Christian to their roster, a move that comes as the team deals with a growing number of injuries on the line.
Christian joins the team as the injury bug has caught hold of Jacksonville's offensive line. The team placed Cole Van Lanen on the Physically Unable to Perform list, along with offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio, prior to the start of training camp. Christian's addition brings much-needed depth to the team, with the veteran lineman boasting 63 games played and 25 starts in his career.
In the intersquad scrimmage on August 7, Walker Little limped off the field and was held out for the remainder of competition. He was not visibly present at the August 8 walkthrough on the next day. Head coach Liam Coen did not have an update on Little's injury status after the game concluded.
The Jaguars have shuffled the offensive line quite a bit in Coen's two seasons, attempting to find the best group of five. Several players have flexibility to play guard and tackle, with Chuma Edoga likely being the next-man-up if Little's injury is serious. Christian's experience as a left tackle could also provide a boost to the team, as Anton Harrison currently holds that position.
Van Lanen's injury timeline has not been updated, but he's been present throughout training camp as he works with the staff doing rehab on the sideline. The Jaguars will return to the practice field on August 9 before a rest day to start their first preseason game week.
The addition of Christian may help alleviate some of the pressure on the team's young linemen, who are still finding their footing in the NFL. Wyatt Milum, a second-year lineman, was given tackle reps in the scrimmage, but didn't look fully comfortable in those reps. Christian's experience and versatility could help the team navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.
The Jaguars will continue to work through their injury issues as they prepare for the regular season. Christian's addition is a welcome boost, but the team still has a long way to go in terms of finding a cohesive and healthy unit. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the team's depth chart and overall success.
Source: Yahoo Sports