The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost their second starting offensive lineman for the season. Center Brandon Linder left Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts early. Coach Doug Marrone announced in his press conference today that Linder is moving to the injured reserve. This is bad news in a season that is full of negatives for the team.
Jaguars C Brandon Linder (knee) out for season, HC Doug Marrone says…
— John Oehser (@JohnOehser) November 12, 2018
Jacksonville Jaguars Center Brandon Linder Out for Season
Linder is the best offensive lineman that the Jaguars have. In fact, he is the second highest paid center in the National Football League.
Linder is the centerpiece of the Jaguars offensive line. The line has struggled this year. In week two, left tackle Cam Robinson tore his ACL. The left tackle position has been a rotation since then. Now someone will have to fill some big shoes. The team has already announced that Tyler Shatley will be the starting center in his place. Shatley will obviously have his work cut out for him.
Linder is not only the centerpiece of the line. He is also the most tenured starter on the offensive line. Linder was drafted by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The 6’6″, 320-pound lineman went to the University of Miami and is impressive. Linder had the highest grade for an offensive lineman for a single game in 2017 according to Pro Football Focus. But even besides the fact that Linder is a great player, there is another reason he will be missed. Center is a very important position. Linder and Blake Bortles have built chemistry over their time together on the team. But now Shatley will be snapping the ball.
Shatley has seen action for the Jaguars in a few different areas but now he must be the center for the rest of the season. Here’s to wishing Linder a speedy recovery and Shatley good luck in relief.
