Jaguars Set to Activate LT Van Lanen After Passed Physical

The Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive line has been shuffled throughout training camp, as the coaching staff deals with injuries and tries to configure their best five in the trenches.

On Thursday, the line got a big boost, with left tackle Cole Van Lanen passing his physical and preparing to be lifted from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Van Lanen was placed on the PUP list about a month ago alongside rookie guard Garrett DiGiorgio after suffering a knee injury in Week 18 of last season.

But, he now returns to an offensive line unit that recently acquired New York Giants OL Daniel Faalele for a sixth round pick.

Heading into this season, the interior of the offensive line was a concern, and with Patrick Mekari undergoing surgery earlier this week, Jacksonville was very thin at the guard position.

Faalele and the return of Van Lanen gives the unit significant depth and versatility when it comes to mobile players like Anton Harrison.

For Van Lanen, his recovery went according to plan and head coach Liam Coen expects him to return to full form.

"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 in late-July. "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.

Van Lanen's return likely means Harrison will move back to his natural position on the right side of the offensive line, while Walker Little will fall back into a depth spot.

The former Wisconsin lineman's ability to play on the interior or a tackle position is also notable, as the team will have to evaluate where Van Lanen is most needed.

With a new regime in the backfield, having players comfortable and in-line with the running schematics will be crucial to Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting acclimated in their new roles.