Jacksonville Jaguars: Veteran cornerback will not play in 2020
By David Levin
Cornerback Rashaan Melvin becomes the third player on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster to decide not to play in 2020.
Another Jacksonville Jaguars player has decided to opt out of playing the 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus.
Per John Oehser, senior writer for Jaguars.com, veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin will not play this season, making him the third player on the defensive side of the ball to make that announcement.
Melvin is also the second free agent signee this season to decide to hang it up for the season. Last week, defensive tackle Al Woods made the same announcement, citing concerns for him and his family in the wake of COVID-19.
Lerentee McCray, a veteran standout on special teams is the third player to let the Jaguars organization of his wishes to wait until the 2021 season to play football again here in Jacksonville.
Melvin’s departure does leave a void in the secondary as the Jacksonville Jaguars front office made a point to add depth in the NFL Draft. There will be at least one new starter, cornerback C.J. Henderson in Week 1 of the NFL season. The rookie first round draft pick figures to lineup opposite Tre Herndon.
Ronnie Harrison is slated to start at strong safety. Jarrod Wilson started last season at weak safety and figures to start once again but could be challenged by rookies on the roster.
Most of the Jaguars’ offseason was dedicated to adding to the defense in both free agency and the NFL Draft. Melvin figured to be in the rotation at cornerback. Four of the Jaguars 12 draft picks were to help the secondary.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to move forward in their training camp down at TIAA Bank Field. Coach Doug Marrone had a chance to speak to the local media via video conference, stating he is pleased with what he has seen so far from the players.
"“I’m very happy with the way the week’s going,” the Jaguars’ head coach said Thursday afternoon."
This is a different look from this time last season when A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey were the starters. Bother players have been traded within the last year, which creates plenty of competition for the players who are currently on the roster.
"As Oehser wrote, “The Jaguars this week have been continuing to go through walkthroughs and virtual meetings during what the NFL is calling a ramp-up period because COVID-19 eliminated the offseason program. Non-contact practices are scheduled to begin next week with padded practices starting the following week.”"
These three players who will not play could have an impact on how the defensive scheme Todd Wash hs implemented this season.
Players have until 4 p.m. Thursday to opt out of the 2020 season for COVID-19 reasons.