The Jacksonville Jaguars have another important question to answer along the offensive line as the regular season approaches, with multiple reports confirming starting right guard Patrick Mekari recently underwent back surgery. Following an offseason where the team has slowly brought Mekari along, while manging this injury, this reported news creates a mountain of uncertainty around his availability.
In the short term, Mekari’s injury will force Jacksonville to consider a variety of options for their best week one offensive front five. In the longterm, a question of the severity of a back surgery recovery, and exactly how much time Mekari will ultimately miss in 2026 feels key. Per the reports, the Jaguars are not expected to lose Mekari for the entire season. Yet, any missed time during the final stages of the preseason is obviously significant, and with his recent injury history, and the presence of Wyatt Milum and Emmanuel Pregnon, there’s a chance that the later part of 2026 could belong to the younger players.
OL Shuffle
Mekari entered the season as the projected starter at right guard after a 2025 season marked by injuries, including a back issue. The timing of this surgery is particularly noteworthy because Jacksonville has already dealt with injuries and uncertainty along the offensive line throughout training camp and the preseason.
With Cole Van Lanen currently on the PUP List, Chuma Edoga recently injured, and Walker Little injured since the mock scrimmage the starting-caliber depth of the offensive line was already severely thin. And while Jacksonville has invested significant draft and free agent resources into improving the unit, maintaining continuity has remained a clear challenge in 2026. For a front that consistently preaches versatility and positional cross-training, the team is currently light on starting level tackle candidates, while now also questionable at guard.
The Future Is Now?
Mekari’s injury could have a direct impact on one of the team’s more intriguing offseason offensive-line competitions. Rookie Wyatt Milum has received significant opportunities throughout camp and has impressed at times, but the Jaguars had continued to list Mekari ahead of him at right guard. With the incumbent out indefinitely, Milum could have an early runway to demonstrate that he is ready for an expanded role.
The Jaguars also have other clear options available internally, depending on how the coaching staff chooses to approach the situation. Jacksonville could maintain its current structure and shift rookie Emmanuel Pregnon or veteran Walker Little to the right side at guard. Alternatively, they could potentially move the more experienced guard, Ezra Cleveland, to right guard while starting Pregnon on the left.
Through the recent promising play of Pregnon and Milum, Mekari’s injury doesn’t necessarily mean the Jaguars’ offensive line is in crisis. However, it does represent another test for a group Jacksonville hoped would enter the season with improved stability. With that initial plan out the window, how the Jaguars respond to Mekari’s absence could ultimately be just as important as the injury itself. If an internal replacement steps up, what initially looks like a setback could become an opportunity for a younger player to establish himself, similar to 2025 with the safety room and Antonio Johnson.
Roster questions and asking young players for quick development can be scary though. Having a young backup fail to achieve their rookie year promise when handed an opportunity is not so uncommon in the NFL. Each player is a gamble, with some being hits and others misses. The Jaguars have another offensive-line question to answer, and Patrick Mekari’s recovery timeline, and the early play of those still healthy, will go a long way toward determining just how significant that question becomes.
Which week one starting arrangement would you prefer, Jaguars fans? Walker Little at right guard or right tackle? The rookie Pregnon manning the left side or the right guard position? There are a lot of moving pieces on this one. Let us know your favorite options in the comments!