One glaring crack is beginning to show for the Jaguars in the preseason

It's still early but it looks like the Jacksonville Jaguars have a potential issue at hand. Against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers in joint practices, they struggled to run the ball. Things weren't much different in Week 1 of the preseason. The offensive line couldn't open lanes, and that's something that could hinder their chances of seizing the AFC South in 2024.

During joint practice, veteran Mitch Morse, and guard Ezra Cleveland were pushed around. Granted, they went against Vita Vea but the point is that they were supposed to be much better in 2024. So far, that hasn't been the case.

One of the biggest reasons Jacksonville faded late in 2023 was that they could get the running game going, which in turn put additional pressure on an injured Trevor Lawrence to win games. Things got so bad that the coaching staff outright abandoned the run. Not surprisingly, general manager Trent Baalke talked about the importance of getting better in the trenches. They certainly did on defense but the same can't be said on the offensive side of the ball.

While the Jags are stacked at offensive tackle, their interior offensive line is leaving much to be desired. The trouble is that the team's brass chose to make minimal changes up front. They re-signed Cleveland after trading for him midseason but he's struggled to stay healthy.

On the other hand, Jacksonville brought in Morse to provide a boost at center. It may be a bit premature to call the signing a bust, but his performance in practice doesn't precisely inspire confidence.

Add the fact that right guard Brandon Scherff is 32, and the Jaguars should be concerned about their interior offensive line.

Granted, Trevor Lawrence has thrived despite the less-than-ideal protection he's getting inside but imagine how much better he would be with plenty of time to throw. Something similar is happening with the running game. Travis Etienne has been stuffed before the line scrimmage several times in practice. Last year, he ran hard and crossed the 1,000-yard mark but averaged a measly 3.8 yards because he had nowhere to go.

This is to say that if the Jaguars' offensive line doesn't gel soon, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne could be in for a long season. So what should the Jaguars do?

The Jaguars must look for help to bolster the O-Line

The team's brass is expecting the offensive line to click once they get healthier. But that's what happened last year. They dealt with injuries for most of 2023 and they never truly hit their stride.

For the sake of argument, let's say the offensive trenches do get back at full strength, will it be enough? Like Brandon Scherff, Mitch Morse is 32, and it's uncertain how much gas he has left in the tank. Ezra Cleveland was a fine guard before the injury bug struck. The question is whether he can be that player again. To make matters worse, the depth behind them isn't much better.

Cooper Hodges is vying for a roster spot but he's yet to prove he's a starting-caliber player. Center Luke Fortner struggled last year, which is why the Jags brought Morse to begin with, so if he saw extended playing time again, Jacksonville could be in trouble. Veteran Tyler Shatley is also in the mix but he's closer to the end than the beginning. It's also worth pointing out that "The Shat" has never been more than a backup player throughout his career.

The trouble is that the free-agent market has dried up, and they're currently no big-name offensive linemen on the trade block. The Jaguars will probably need to look into the waiver wire for potential reinforcements. The one thing they cannot afford to do is rest on their laurels. If they do, 2024 could be a repeat of last year, and that's the last thing they want.

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