The Jaguars are moving on without Anton Harrison for the rest of the season, and Liam Coen made it clear Monday that the loss stings.
Harrison, Jacksonville’s left tackle, suffered an ACL injury against Philadelphia and was reported last week to be done for the year. Coen confirmed that timeline in his media session and praised what Harrison had brought to the group before the injury.
"Bummer for Anton and our team. I've been very proud of Anton and he will be sorely missed," Coen said.
"I really felt like Anton had been playing really good football. Really all in with the group, his buy-in, his attention to detail, the way he had been playing, I was very proud of Anton the way he was playing for us.
We'll miss him, without a doubt."
Harrison’s path to the left side was a notable one. He had spent his first three seasons with the Jaguars at right tackle, then shifted to left tackle during training camp while Cole Van Lanen was sidelined. Even after Van Lanen returned, Jacksonville kept Harrison on the left.
The results this season showed a player holding his own, at least by the numbers. Through four games, Harrison ranked 32nd among tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade and 23rd in run-blocking grade.
Now the job shifts to Walker Little, and Coen sounded encouraged by what he saw from him against Houston’s pass rush.
"(I) was extremely proud of Walker Little and the way that he played on Sunday against Houston," Coen added. "Stepped up in both the run and the pass.
Did some really good things for us and no flinch, no blink, next man up mentality. So excited about him and his opportunity.
There's not many guys that care more than Walker in a lot of ways about this team and about this group of guys. Still feel like we have good depth at the group and the offensive line in general."
There is still one more piece to monitor up front. Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari remains on injured reserve, and Coen would not say when his return-to-practice window might open.
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