Cole Van Lanen’s Week 1 outlook got a lot brighter Friday, and the Jaguars may have their veteran tackle available when they line up against the Cleveland Browns.
Van Lanen, who has been working his way back from a knee injury suffered on Jan. 4, was limited in all three practices this week. But when Jacksonville released its final injury report before Sunday’s opener, he had no injury designation at all. Head coach Liam Coen has called him a game-time decision, but the report suggests Van Lanen should at least be active.
“I think he's really done some nice things over the last few days, especially, putting himself into some compromising positions and going through some hot practice days out here and getting some good work in," Coen said on Friday. "I've been pleased with him.
I know he's confident, he's starting to really feel better and better each and every day. We'll definitely take that up to game time.”
That leaves Jacksonville with a couple of possible paths. The Jaguars could stick Walker Little at right tackle and keep Van Lanen ready as the swing tackle. Or they could put Van Lanen right back into the starting job at right tackle opposite Anton Harrison, who is set to open at left tackle.
"I think our training staff, strength, athletic training, sports science are second to none, and they have worked tirelessly throughout this offseason with Cole," Coen said.
"Both obviously on the grass while they're doing some of the work, in the weight room, in the training room, but also, in the mindset part of it and continuing to encourage and to be honest when necessary and needed, to obviously have him potentially available at this time is huge. It's a testament to the work that he's put in, but also to the support staff that we have that I truly believe in. And I think that these guys, they do it at a high level.”
Harrison also showed up on the final report with a foot designation after missing practice Friday, but he does not carry a game status and is expected to start at left tackle. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was limited all week with a thumb injury, though he said earlier this week that he would play, and he too avoided an official injury designation.
The only Jaguars player entering Week 1 with a designation is running back LeQuint Allen Jr., who is listed as questionable. Allen sat out Wednesday before returning as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday.
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For Jacksonville, it adds another layer to a season opener that already had plenty of weight. The Browns are leaning on Watsons experience even with the injury concerns that have followed him, and they are planning to keep him in place for the next two games as well, including a matchup with Tampa Bay. It leaves the Jaguars preparing for a familiar name with a less familiar level of certainty around him. [Read more 🡒]