Jaguars to be without starting OL for multiple weeks

The Jaguars managed to secure a pivotal win in Week 12, but they lost a key member of their offensive front in the process. Left tackle Cam Robinson suffered a knee injury, and it appears poised to keep him sidelined for an intermediate stretch.

Robinson is dealing with a knee injury which has a recovery timeline of three-to-six weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. That makes the veteran a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, a move which would guarantee at least a four-week absence. Any missed time will be signficant for Jacksonville’s offense as the team looks to maintain its lead in the AFC South down the stretch.

The 28-year-old missed the beginning of the campaign while serving a four-game PED suspension. He managed to play every game from Week 5 on, though, until the knee injury sidelined him in Sunday’s win over the Texans. Robinson has been charged with three sacks allowed this season, leading to an overall PFF grade of 63.5.

That figure falls in line with many of his other evaluations over the course of his career. Robinson has never earned Pro Bowl acclaim but the Jaguars have remained committed to him on the blindside for seven years and counting. That includes the latest contract he agreed to with Jacksonville, a three-year, $52.75M deal signed in 2022. The pact calls for a cap hit of $21.6M next year, so having Robinson healthy by that point will be a signficant priority for the team.

Before then, it will be interesting to see how quickly the former second-rounder can return to the lineup. Robinson was shut down for the season last year due to a meniscus tear, and the Jags’ O-line was shorthanded through their playoff run as a result. Recovering in time for the 2023 postseason is feasible with the latest injury occurring in November, but Robinson’s status will nevertheless be worth monitoring.

In his absence, Jacksonville shifted Walker Little from left guard to left tackle on Sunday. The latter started on the blindside during Robinson’s suspension to begin the campaign, so a repeat of that setup would come as no surprise. Jacksonville lost interior depth last week with Ben Bartch departing from the practice squad to join the 49ers. Little moving outside could open up a starting spot at guard for Ezra Cleveland, whom the Jaguars acquired at the trade deadline.