The offensive line is key for a Jaguars win on Sunday
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line will have its fourth starting right tackle of the season on Sunday when Ereck Flower get the nod against Pittsburgh.
When the Jacksonville Jaguars lined up on the first Sunday of the regular season against the New York Giants, it was believed they had a better offensive line than last season. No one could have known the issues the starting five would have through the first 11 games.
Jacksonville faces the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday with Ereck Flowers getting the nod to start, making it the fourth time the team replaced its left tackle this season. The former Giants player who was on the field for the game against the Jaguars this season will be backed up by Patrick Omameh, who played here in Jacksonville last season and was let go by the Giants earlier this week.
The move to start Flowers comes the same week the team announced center Brandon Linder was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. He has been replaced by Tyler Shatley at the pivot.
"“Flowers shared time in a 29-26 loss to the Colts last Sunday with veteran guard/tackle Josh Walker, the starter at left tackle the last four weeks,” writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com. “Walker did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful with foot and ankle injuries.”"
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The Jaguars may also have an issue on the right side of the offensive line as guard A.J. Cann was added to the injury report and is listed as questionable for the game on Sunday. If he cannot go, Chris Reed may get the call to move into the starting lineup.
Jacksonville’s offensive line play was better last week as the unit did not give up a sack. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, one to Donte Moncrief and one to Leonard Fournette. All five starters will have to play even better this coming Sunday against a Steelers pass rush that has been dominant the past five weeks.
"“It’s always tough when you have multiple injuries at one position group, head coach Doug Marrone said on Friday when he met with the local media. “It’s challenging. Really, when you have to go outside the practice squad and outside the building, that’s tough. There’s not a lot out there.”"
The Jaguars have a player in Flowers who was drafted by Tom Coughlin in 2015 when he was the head coach in New York. Omameh is a versatile lineman who can play both guard and tackle.
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"Per Oehser, “Cam Robinson started the first two games of the season before sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a Week victory over New England. Josh Wells started Weeks 3-5 before sustaining a groin injury in a Week 5 loss at Kansas City.”"