Despite landing on the PUP list, the versatile lineman’s rehab progress fuels optimism in Jacksonville as rookie Emmanuel Pregnon prepares to step up during training camp.
The depth of the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive line group has been a slight weakness over the past few years, as the team is still seeking trenchmen to anchor the line of scrimmage.
2021 sixth-round draft pick Cole Van Lanen is one player who had a nice season protecting starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence last season, but is still recovering from a Week 18 knee injury.
On Sunday, Van Lanen landed on Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, joining rookie guard Garrett DiGiorgio as the two additions.
Both players still count towards Jacksonville's roster count and can be activated at any time, but it is definitely a big loss for the beginning of the season.
Nevertheless, head coach Liam Coen recently assured media that he has no doubt Van Lanen will be ready to go sooner rather than later.
"I feel very confident in that right now. I think he’s looking great in terms of throughout rehab process," Coen said on the Brent and Austen Show on Action Sports Jacksonville. "He’s the type of person who has taken this and used it to find maybe some areas of weakness in his game - or his body - that he can go attack…. And when he’s able to go on the grass for us, I feel very confident that he’ll be able to get back to his best self quickly."
Last year, Van Lanen appeared in 16 games, making 10 starts last season, taking snaps at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.
Van Lanen finished the regular season with four consecutive starts protecting starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side and helped Jacksonville produce five games without allowing a sack, tying for the most in the NFL.
While Coen's comments that Van Lanen will be ready to go rather "quickly" are promising, his absence during OTAs is disappointing, considering he earned a 3-year, $51 million extension in the offseason.
With the 6-foot-5 Wisconsin alumni sidelined, expect rookie tackle Emmanuel Pregnon to have an expanded role earlier than expected.
Last season, Pregnon was perhaps the best offensive lineman on an Oregon team that made it to the second round of the College Football Playoff and finished as a finalist for the best offensive line in college football.
Pregnon started all 15 games last season, earning First-team AP All-American honors. He uses his 6-foot-4, 314 pound frame to dominate defensive lineman in pass protection, providing an instant plug-and-play option for Jacksonville to utilize.
Right tackle Anton Harrison is another player who will be expected to fill the void, as he was also extended this offseason.
Harrison has started at right tackle in 48 games for the Jaguars, providing consistency on Lawrence's strong side.
With Van Lanen sidelined, perhaps the coaching staff could look to pivot Harrison to the left side until he returns, giving Walker Little a complimentary piece to cycle in and out with.
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