Right guard Patrick Mekari missed time with a back injury, but the Jacksonville Jaguars expected him to return for training camp or by the start of the regular season at the latest. However, a recent update has quickly cast doubt about his availability for the foreseeable future.
Mike Garofolo of NFL Media broke the news that Mekari underwent back surgery, adding that the Jags are weighing whether he'll start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Jacksonville was already dealing with a myriad of injuries on the offensive line, so this development comes as a massive blow.
The good news is that the Jags may already have Mekari's replacement waiting in the wing.
The Jaguars could turn to Emmanuel Pregnon to replace Patrick Mekari
Heading into training camp, Wyatt Milum was projected to compete with Patrick Mekari for the starting job at right guard. But even though Mekari has been unavailable, Milum hasn't been able to earn it. Meanwhile, rookie Emmanuel Pregnon is coming off a strong performance in the season opener.
Pregnon got the starting nod against the New Orleans Saints, logging 32 snaps at left guard. He gave up just one pressure and posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 72.0 along the way.
Brian Baldinger of NFL Media took a look at Pregnon's performance and liked what he saw, noting that he showed massive upside in his preseason debut.
.@Jaguars @Saints @PregnonEmmanuel had a fine debut playing the entire first half. Showed the same skills that we saw @oregonfootball last year..Very high on this prospect becoming a starter. #duval #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/TrlLsRQRD7
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 17, 2026
For his part, head coach Liam Coen heaped praise on Pregnon, noting that the first-year hog molly still has his work cut out but certainly flashed against the Saints.
"Did some really nice things. Moved people in one-on-one situations. Deleted a guy on a pull. Actually, on the interception, had an unbelievable block where he decleated a guy on a cleanup; he flashed. That was for sure," Coen said after the win over New Orleans (4:10 mark). "He flashed. He flashed in the joint as well when he got some opportunities with the ones, and he's just continuing."
Coen continued, "It's a process. It's not something that we're obviously trying to push. It's just 'Hey, when the time comes, he'll be ready,' and he's trying to work through that and the continuity with the group, and you're not seeing as much as he's gonna see obviously when we get going. So pumping the brakes a little on it, but just for what he was able to do and in the ops that he had, we were pleased with him."
Of course, Pregnon is going to deal with growing pains next season. Every rookie does, but that time Coen talked about might come sooner than expected.
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The Jaguars will have options beyond Emmanuel Pregnon at right guard
The Jaguars don't have to rush Emmanuel Pregnon, but he would most definitely benefit from all the playing time he can get at right guard in the preseason. That will give the coaching staff the chance to assess whether he could start against the Cleveland Browns in the opener.
But if Jacksonville believes Pregnon needs time, Walker Little and Chuma Edoga would be realistic alternatives for as long as Patrick Mekari is out. The issue is that both of them are currently dealing with injuries. The silver lining is that they're expected to return soon, but Pregnon could get all the reps at right guard in the meantime.
The Jaguars just won't hand Emmanuel Pregnon the starting job, but if he continues to flash in the preseason, he'll give them no option but to start him at right guard.
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