Jacksonville Jaguars COVID-19 tracker with updates

The Jacksonville Jaguars did a good job of avoiding a COVID-19 outbreak early in the season but things have changed in recent weeks, as they have placed more than 20 players on the COVID-19/Reserve list in the past few days.

Over the last few days, the following Jaguars players have landed on the COVID-19/Reserve list: Tight end Dan Arnold, running back Travis Etienne, left tackle Cam Robinson, return specialist Jaydon Mickens, defensive back Rudy Ford, safety Andrew Wingard, linebacker Dylan Moses, tight end Jacob Hollister, defensive tackle Jay Tufele, linebacker Damien Wilson, defensive tackle Malcom Brown, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, tight end Luke Ferrell, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, center Brandon Linder, tight end Chris Manhertz, edge rusher Lerentee McCray, left guard Andrew Norwell, defensive end Jihad Ward,

Furthermore, the Jags announced They have placed running back James Robinson, offensive lineman Will Richardson, and punter Logan Cooke on the Injured Reserve list. Knowing they will be shorthanded Sunday, the team has signed defensive back Brandon Rusnak from the practice squad to the active roster. Also, they claimed linebacker Jamir Jones and running back Mekhi Sargent off of waivers. From the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, Jacksonville signed tight end Kahale Warring to the active roster and signed Joseph Charlton, and edge rusher Hercules Mata’afa to their practice squad. Finally, the Jaguars signed linebacker Terrell Adams from the San Francisco 49ers practice squad to their active roster.

Update December 31st: Josh Allen, Travis Etienne, Luke Farrell, Myles Jack, Laviska Shenault Jr., Jordan Smith, and Damien Wilson cleared COVID-19 protocols and can play in Week 17.

Update No. 2 December 31st: The team announced defensive quality control coach Patrick Reilly and defensive line coach Tosh are unavailable for Week 17 due to NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols.

Update No. 3 December 31st: Assistant defensive line coach Sterling Lucas will assume game day responsibilities. Also, cornerback Shaquille Griffin has been added to the COVID-19 list. He won’t suited up Sunday. Punter J.K. Scott has been signed.

Update January 1st: The following players are off the COVID-19 list: Defensive tackle Malcom Brown, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, tight end Chris Manhertz, left guard Andrew Norwell, defensive end Jihad Ward.

If you think that’s a long list you aren’t alone. Before these past two weeks, the only Jaguars player that wasn’t available due to the COVID-19 protocols during the 2021 season was Walker Littler. Edge rusher Josh Allen, who was added to the list along with wide receiver Laviska Shenault last week, right guard A.J. Cann, and cornerback C.J. Henderson landed on the list during the offseason.

The Jaguars’ starting lineup might look very different due to COVID-19.

The Jaguars aren’t the only NFL team that has experienced an uptick in COVID-19 cases. In fact, it’s a widespread issue around the league. Keep in mind that that the league has changed its protocols and players can be activated after five days if they aren’t showing any symptoms.

"The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to modify their joint COVID-19 protocols on Tuesday, cutting the standard isolation period after a positive test for asymptomatic individuals from 10 days to five days regardless of vaccination status."

This means that the Jags could get some (not all) players that landed on the list before December 29 could be available for the team’s Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots. Among other changes to the protocol, all players and coaching staff must wear a mask for indoor activities and no more than 15 players can be in the weight room at the same time. If that’s what it takes to slow down the spread of the virus and play the remaining games of the 2021 season, so be it.

The Jaguars’ game against the Patriots was already difficult and with so many players on the COVID-19 list, it has become considerably more challenging.