2 min read • August 14, 2021
Posted in
Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Trevor Lawrence -
Normally a QB with recent shoulder surgery would cause a lot of consternation before the draft, but not in this case. Lawrence has been the presumptive No. 1 overall selection for years and will be despite the left (non-throwing) shoulder surgery. It is something he played through, but undergoing surgery indicates a labral tear and instability. Despite this, Lawrence tossed for a career-high 69.2% completion percentage and overall had an outstanding college career throwing for a total of 90 touchdowns in three years. The Clemson superstar did not attend the limited medical portion of the combine as he got married on that weekend. It is likely the Jaguars medical staff were the ones asked to review his case and conduct a telemedicine visit.. Our guess is Lawrence will do enough to learn the new system and what normally would be a big concern is in fact a small one going forward.
QB Gardner Minshew -
The Jaguars QB was the starter to begin the season, but suffered thumb fractures and a strained ligament, which cost him four games. Minshew seemed to fall out of favor with Head coach Doug Marrone and those injuries were used as a reason to bench him, even though he could have played through them. He never regained the starting job and we held the belief from the start that he could have played despite the thumb injuries. Minshew finished the year with 2,259 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. Health is not his issue, playing time is.
RB James Robinson -
The undrafted rookie had a fantastic inaugural season, although he missed the final two games of the season with a sprained ankle. The Jaguars were far from playoff contention by then, meaning there was no need to rush him back. Robinson ran for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns last year in 14 games. Robinson returns to a crowded backfield since the Jaguars drafted RB Travis Etienne in the first round and signed RB Carlos Hyde. He is also under a new head coach in Urban Meyer. Just like Minshew, health is not his issue, splitting reps is.
WR D.J. Chark -
The Jaguars’ was hampered with multiple injuries all year, missing a total of three games. He missed Week 3 due to chest and back issues. The LSU product missed Week 12 due to a rib ailment and Week 17 due to a shin issue. Chark also dealt with an ankle injury midseason, but didn't miss a game. Chark endured a down year statistically and will look to click with new franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. The wideout finished his third year with 53 catches for 706 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. Chark recently suffered a hairline fracture on his finger this preseason and underwent surgery, which will ensure that he will be ready for Week 1. Chark will miss time with his new QB, but should be ready to go when the regular season arrives.
OL Andrew Norwell -
The Jaguars starting LG injured his forearm causing him to be placed on IR, missing three games before returning in Week 15. Norwell should be fully healthy to start the year.
OL Brandon Linder -
The hulking offensive lineman endured multiple injuries in 2020, including knee, back and ankle issues which cost him a total of seven games. The ankle injury landed him on the IR, where he finished the season. Despite multiple issues, he starts this year healthy.
DE Roy Robertson-Harris -
The new free agent signing played eight games last year for the Chicago Bears, finishing with 10 combined tackles. He missed the last half of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Robertson-Harris should be healed from surgery and slots right into a starting role with the Jaguars.
CB C.J. Henderson -
The Jaguars first round draft pick lived up to the hype and performed well as their number one CB, but did run into some injury issues in his first season. The Florida product missed Week 5 due to a shoulder issue and missed seven more games due to a groin injury. The groin injury ended his season, finishing with 36 combined tackles. His shoulder injury was serious enough to have labrum surgery in the offseason. Head coach Urban Meyer discussed Hendersons surgery in March and said Henderson was recovering. Itt remains unclear when the surgery was done but the expectation is that his injury issues are behind him.
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