When the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, they could be without four of their five starters on the offensive line. In addition to Andrew Norwell, Cam Robinson, and Brandon Linder (all dealing with injuries), they might be without starting guard A.J. Cann, too, as he was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed OL A.J. Cann on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the club announced today.
— JaguarsPR (@JaguarsPR) August 27, 2021
According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, Cann is a vaccinated player and he could return soon for the Jags as a result. According to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, a vaccinated player doesn’t have to quarantine after a close contact situations, where as unvaccinated players who are in the same situation must isolate for five days.
Jaguars placed RG A.J. Cann on COVID list. He’s vaccinated, so should return quickly. But Jax could be without 3 or 4 starting offensive linemen in front of Trevor Lawrence in preseason finale at Dallas
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) August 27, 2021
Additionally, a vaccinated player who tests positive can return after a matter of days by accumulating consecutive negative tests within 24 hours apart, but an unvaccinated player has to miss 10 days.
After a slow preseason start, the Jags were hoping to get going in the preseason finale (especially on offense), which would be key for the development of rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. However, with the starting offensive line having the possibility to be without all but one starter, it may be best for coach Urban Meyer to sit the rookie if things are looking shaky come Sunday. After all, they would have 13 days before the regular season to get everything right in practice, though preseason game day reps would help them a lot.