The Jacksonville Jaguars have sustained a lot of injuries this season, and the temporary loss of tight end James O’Shaughnessy to an ankle injury Week 2, was a significant blow. Luckily, the Jags found a gem in Dan Arnold after trading cornerback C.J. Henderson to the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 27, who filled O’Shaughnessy’s shoes and has accumulated 27 yards for 315 yards in six games.
However, O’Shaughnessy seems to be nearing 100% and was designated to return from IR this week, which means the team could be on the way to having a nice one-two punch at tight end soon. And while it isn’t known how soon, Jags coach Urban Meyer told the media that O’Shaughnessy is looking like the player he was praising this summer as an offseason standout.
“Yeah, he is actually looking pretty good in practice. That is the O’Shaughnessy that I remember before he got hurt,” Meyer said Friday.
Meyer continued to praise O’Shaughnessy by describing what he brings to the table, stating he could help the team both as a blocker and receiver whenever he returns.
“Well he [James O’Shaughnessy] has become a much better blocker early, you know obviously before his injury. He is a good [receiver], I always felt he is a good quality receiver. I remember the play he got hurt on, [he] did a heck of a job. I think it was [Arizona] Cardinals. I like O-Shag [James O’Shaughnessy], last year he struggled with that knee but the year before he had a good year. I think it was 2019 or something.”
Meyer also told the media that keeping four tight ends on the roster was possible, but there had to be special teams abilities within the group. However, the discussion of doing so was one he said the Jags hadn’t had, so it’s a bridge they would look to cross later. Regardless, it’s clear that Meyer has a great deal of respect for O’Shaughnessy, and with Arnold functioning like the team’s TE1, adding another serviceable option at the position should only help a struggling offense.