Jaguars place guard Andrew Norwell on injured reserve

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Norwell #68 of the Carolina Panthers in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Norwell #68 of the Carolina Panthers in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to deal with injuries on their offensive line. The team announced guard Andrew Norwell has been placed on injured reserve.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler’s job just got a biut tougher. Now, the back up named starter will go into the game on Sunday without left guard Andrew Norwell, who was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, the team announced.

The Jaguars have been decimated by injuries this season, especially on the offensive line. The team played with its fourth left tackle this past weekend in a 24-21 loss to Buffalo. There have been injuries at center and right guard. While the running game racked up 226 yards last weekend, the news of Leonard Fournette’s suspension for fighting will make a tough situation even worse.

"As Josh Alper of profootballtalk.com reported, “Norwell injured his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Bills and had to be carted to the locker room in order to undergo a medical evaluation. A report on Monday morning indicated that he’d miss a few weeks as a result of the injury, but, as mentioned in response to that report, the time left of the schedule is working against him.”"

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It was believed Norwell would miss a few weeks with the injury.

The injury bug has not just bitten this franchise, it has taken a chunk out of the roster on offense and is part of the reason why the Jaguars are now 3-8 without a chance to make the playoffs this season. Jacksonville was one of the least injured teams in the NFL last season.

"According to Alper, head coach Doug Marrone announced on Monday the team’s intention to place Norwell, Jacksonville’s prized free agent signee, on injured reserve."

Norwell was an All-Pro guard in 2017 with the Carolina Panthers before hitting the free agent market. He cashed in with the Jaguars on a five-year, $66.5 million contract with $30 million in guaranteed money. He was expected to make an offensive line that helpd the Jaguars lead the league in rushing per game (141 yards) in 2017 even better.

Injuries have caused major issues and Norwell has played below what he did last season for the Panthers.

Per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, he becomes the fourth offensive lineman the team has placed on injured reserve this season. Cam Robinson suffered an ACL injury in the game against New England and since then, the team has had to play with a makeshift line.

Center Brandon Linder and guard Josh Wells have also been placed in the injured reserve list. Wells is scheduled to come back and play against the Wasington Redskins.