The Jacksonville Jaguars are dealing with a myriad of injuries on the offensive line before the regular season. But they got an encouraging update before Week 2 of the preseason that will make them breathe a sigh of relief.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Jags are taking Van Lanen off the Physically Unable to Perform list after passing his physical. This is a massive step in the right direction after he sat out the offseason program and training camp.
Van Lanen probably won't play in Week 2 of the preseason or the finale, but knowing he's cleared makes his return for the season opener a realistic goal.
The Jaguars will soon get Cole Van Lanen back
Cole Van Lanen originally hurt his knee late in the 2025 season (or early January 2026 if you want to be specific). The Jaguars never truly discussed the severity of the lesion, but beat writers suggested he tore his ACL.
If that was the case, ACL tears take a while to recover, and that might have been why Van Lanen spent months away from the football field. But regardless of the injury he had, what matters is that the veteran hog molly is close to returning to the starting lineup.
A seventh-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2021, Van Lanen was traded to Jacksonville in 2022. Although he played offensive guard early in his stint in Duval, he eventually switched to offensive tackle.
Van Lanen didn't get much playing time in his first three years with the Jags. However, injuries pressed him into action in 2025. He filled in at several spots, earning the recognition of the team's brass. The former Wisconsin Badger ultimately settled at left tackle and got a three-year extension worth $54 million not long after.
But just days after getting his new deal, Van Lanen suffered the aformentioned the knee injury.
Related: The Daniel Faalele trade reveals how the Jags feel about Wyatt Milum
The Jaguars could use Cole Van Lanen
Injuries haven't been kind to the Jaguars in the preseason. Aside from Cole Van Lanen, they were missing Patrick Mekari, their starting right guard in 2025. Like Van Lanen, Mekari missed the offseason program and just recently underwent back surgery, putting his availability in question.
Backup Chuma Edoga also suffered an injury in the preseason opener, and Walker Little left the mock game with an undisclosed injury. But Little is back in the fold. Moreover, Jacksonville just traded for Daniel Faalele, who can compete for the starting job at right guard or serve as a depth piece in the worst-case scenario.
When you factor in the return of Van Lanen, the Jaguars offensive line, particularly the right side, looks in much better shape than it did a couple weeks ago. And just like that, a group that appeared to be a weakness is quickly getting healthy. Trevor Lawrence is surely smiling knowing he'll get some pretty good protection to start the season.
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