Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jaguars fans and fans across the country.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were among the NFL’s least-injured teams through the first month of the 2026 season.
Unfortunately, they were finally dealt a poor hand in Week 5. Long snapper Ross Matiscik and left tackle Anton Harrison each exited Jacksonville’s game against Philadelphia.
Matiscik (shoulder) seems to have avoided injured reserve,
and until he returns, the Jaguars will find a short-term replacement to relieve nose tackle DaVon Hamilton of his emergency duties. But Harrison (knee) sustained a non-contact injury that has already landed him on the IR list. We won’t know the extent of his absence until after he undergoes arthroscopic surgery.
Hopefully, Harrison will return in time for the playoffs, but that’s no guarantee. Either way, losing a starting lineman is never ideal.
The Jaguars will promote Walker Little to left tackle, where he’s played in 31 of his 39 career starts. Cole Van Lanen will continue to start at right tackle, though he’s been pretty shaky coming off his December 2025 knee surgery.
“I have a lot of confidence in Walker and Cole to go in there,” head coach Liam Coen said Wednesday. “These guys have played [the Houston Texans] so many times and have had success against them and know what they’re in for in terms of the battle and next man up mentality.”
“Anytime you’re playing good rushers, you got to have a plan. It takes all 11. It’s not just those tackles. It’s having a plan in the chip game. It’s having decision, timing, accuracy getting the ball out, having a plan. It takes a village. It’s not just really about one guy. That’s kind of on all of us.”
It will certainly take a village to contain DPOY frontrunner Will Anderson Jr. and the rest of Houston’s pass rush in Week 6. As much as the Jaguars need good performances from Little and Van Lanen, it’s almost as important that they just stay healthy… because another loss to the OT room could truly be devastating.
How confident are you that Little and Van Lanen can hold up over the next few months in Harrison’s absence?
Are you confident in Little and Van Lanen?
Are you confident in the Jaguars?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
