After enjoying a relatively clean bill of health in recent weeks, injuries are beginning to test the Jacksonville Jaguars near the end of the regular season. Aside from losing cornerback Jourdan Lewis to a foot injury, they could be without two starters on the offensive line when they face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17.
Center Robert Hainsey and right guard Patrick Mekari haven't practiced and are unlikely to suit up against Indy. Rookie Jonah Monheim will probably fill in for the former, and to replace the latter, Jacksonville may turn to a former starter who struggled early in the season.
The Jaguars are confident Walker LiIttle can step up if needed
Patrick Mekari left the win over the Denver Broncos with a back injury. He didn't return and has sat out practice. At this point, he's a long shot to suit up for the Colts game. If Jacksonville holds him out, Walker Little could start at right tackle.
Once Mekari got hurt, Little filled in for him at right tackle and went on to play 51 snaps. All things considered, he fared well, which led head coach Liam Coen to heap praise on him.
During an exchange with reporters, Coen refused to commit to Litle playing at either guard or tackle, noting that the Jags have a good football player and could use as many as they can in light of injuries.
"Good football players on our team, you know?" Coen responded when asked whether Little was still a tackle or a guard. "I mean, seriously, it's just having. being in this position before in 2022 in LA, where it was a tough year of a lot of different roster assignments up front, and having to pull people off the street, and that was a challenge."
Coen continued, "And so to have the depth that we've had, that we do have on the offensive line, was something I think we did a good job in the offseason, attacking, whether it was through pro free agency or the draft, and then continuing to work and develop with the guys that were here already. That's something that you never want to be in that position of not having depth and talent upfront. And so Walker's been able to continue to contribute to that, and [we're] appreciative of that."
Against the Broncos, Little did give up three total pressures but didn't allow a single sack. For the season, he's surrendered nine sacks and 42 total pressures. The former Stanford Cardinal got Wally Pipped in favor of Cole Van Lanen when he suffered a concussion. Below is Coen's full exchange with reporters. His remarks about Little start at the 3:45 mark.
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Walker Little has a chance to prove he deserves to stick around with the Jaguars
This isn't the first time Walker Little plays inside in his career. Back in 2023, he lined up at left guard when Ben Bartch suffered an injury. Having struggled earlier this year, he'll have a chance to boost his stock.
Once Patrick Mekari is back in the fold, Little will probably return to the bench, so he'll have a prime opportunity to prove he deserves to be part of the team's long-term plans. After all, his future in Jacksonville has been in doubt due to his struggles this season. Releasing him before June 1 would accelerate a cap hit of $3.6 million and leave over $18 million in dead money. However, the Jags haven't been afraid to move on from players who underachieve under general manager James Gladstone.
For that reason, Walker Little will need to step up whenever he gets another chance. Knowing Patrick Mekari may not play against the Denver Broncos, it will probably come soon.